“Tell me how I can help.” Talk to me. I’m your best friend.

Maybe Christy was waiting to see her in person to confide in her. Some things weren’t easy to talk about over the phone.

“Just say you’ll take Holly for me. You were going anyway, so the only change for you is that you’ll have sole charge of her.”

Sole charge?

The focus of Alix’s anxiety shifted. She adored Holly. As far as Alix was concerned, she was an extension of Christy. She couldn’t love the child more if she was her own. But look after her alone? That didn’t fit within her skill set. What if she cried? Missed her parents? What if she was unhappy and Alix messed it up? What if it turned into a Christmas she’d never forget for all the wrong reasons?

Christy might have forgiven Alix’s frankness before the wedding, but she definitely wouldn’t forgive anything happening to her child.

“We both know I’m not the best person for this.”

“You’re the perfect person. She loves you.”

But what would happen to that love if Alix mishandled the situation? “What if she has a horrible time?”

“I’m asking you to take her to a winter wonderland for a few days, not raise her alone.”

“But I don’t know how to do the whole cozy-family-Christmas thing. That’s your domain. I just join in.” Alix ran her hand over the back of her neck. It was cold outside. How could it be so hot in this building? “This isn’t exactly babysitting for an evening. There’s the journey, for a start. And we’d be a long way from you.” The more she thought about it, the more the idea terrified her. “What if Holly misses you and has a tantrum?”

“She hasn’t had a tantrum since she was two, and hardly ever then. She’s even-tempered. You know that.”

“But you know how adventurous she is. She has no concept of danger. What if she climbs on something while I’m not looking and has an accident?”

“She won’t because you’ll be looking.”

She’d have to keep her eyes glued to the child.

“What if she has a bad dream or something?”

“You’ll be there.”

“But she’d want you.” Her heat was hammering against her chest. “There wouldn’t be any backup.”

“You don’t need backup.”

Yes, she did. She couldn’t do this. She had to say no, for Holly’s sake. “Christy—”

“She won’t be any trouble.”

“Are you kidding? Your daughter can get into trouble in an empty room.”

“True, but you know that, so you’ll be watching her. She’ll be thrilled to have some girl time with you, and I’ll join you a few days later. Please, Alix. I know I’m taking advantage of our friendship, but there’s no one else I can ask.”

Alix wanted their friendship to be about confidences and fun conversation. Shopping trips and the occasional night out (with wine). She didn’t want to have sole responsibility for a child.

Say no, say no, say no.