But that meant talking about it. Acknowledging it, when all she really wanted was for the whole thing to go away.

“Holly is still going. She’s flying out with Alix, as planned.”

“You have to be kidding me.” Seb rammed his fingers into his hair. “You discussed this with Alix? Well, of course you did.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing. What exactly did you tell her?”

He thought she was telling Alix things she wasn’t telling him. And maybe she couldn’t blame him for that, because that was certainly something she would have done in the past. But not for a long time.

“I told her what you told me. That you have a work meeting—” she managed to keep her voice steady as she repeated the excuse he’d given her “—and that I’m staying here to support you.”

He held her gaze. “You’re sending Holly with Alix?”

“Why not?” She knew that whatever her faults, and whatever the distance between them, Alix would never betray her or let her down. Right now she wasn’t sure she could say the same about her husband. “Alix adores Holly, and Holly adores Alix.”

“I’m not doubting the affection, just her qualifications.”

“She’s my closest friend.”

His mouth tightened. “We won’t ask where that leaves me.”

Somehow this conversation had become about Alix.

“Seb—”

“She knows nothing about children.”

“She works for a toy company!”

Seb sent her a look. “She knows markets and data and has a good sense of what will sell. That doesn’t qualify her to be a stand-in mother. This isn’t a good idea.”

That fact Alix herself had said virtually the same thing didn’t stop Christy feeling hurt.

“I know the two of you have uncomfortable history—”

“That’s not what this is about. We’ve moved past that.”

“Have we? Are you sure?”

“That’s not fair.” He looked tired. “She’s joining us for Christmas, isn’t she? We have a perfectly civil relationship. I respect your friendship, even if I do sometimes wish you’d talk to me instead of Alix. There’s much about her that I admire, including her loyalty to you. She’s smart, fun and a good person. That doesn’t mean I think she should take responsibility for Holly. That’s a big deal.” He paused. “How did she react when you asked her? Was she enthusiastic?”

It would have been easy enough to lie. Alix had agreed, hadn’t she? But if there were lies in their marriage, Christy didn’t want them to come from her.

“She reacted much the way you did. She doesn’t think she’s the right person, but I know she is. And in the end, she said she’d do it.” And she was grateful for that, because if Alix had refused, it would have meant canceling the trip altogether. “I don’t know why you’re worried. Alix has spent plenty of time with Holly.”

“With you in the background, still in charge. What if our daughter has an accident? What if Alix doesn’t watch her closely enough?”