“If you’re so close, why are you asking me what’s wrong? Why isn’t she telling you her problems? Could it possibly be because she’s afraid you’ll interfere again?”

He’d tapped into her deepest fear. That Christy no longer trusted her with her secrets.

She looked across to the study.

Where were they? Exactly what was this phone call that required both of them to be there, and for such a long time?

She felt a sharp stab of anxiety. Only something important would have caused Christy to abandon the dinner, and there was no sign of either her or Seb reappearing. What was going on?

“Maybe it’s because you’re here, which means we haven’t had a chance to talk.”

She was never going to make it through a whole weekend with this man, let alone ten days over Christmas.

“You need to let it go.” He sounded tired. “Tomorrow you can head back to London. Or New York. Or wherever you plan on spending the holidays. You don’t need to come to Lapland, Alix.”

He wanted her out of the way. He didn’t want her around.

But she’d made a promise to her friend, and she didn’t intend to break it no matter how awkward it became. Maybe she’d messed up their friendship five years earlier, but she wasn’t going to do the same now.

“I’m going to Lapland. With Holly. I’m going to give her the best Christmas she’s ever had until Christy and Seb join us. And nothing is going to stop me doing that.”

“Are you sure? Did Christy tell you I’m going?”

Alix drained her glass. “She may have mentioned it.”

“And you’re okay with that?”

No, she wasn’t okay with it, and he knew it.

“Your movements are no concern of mine.” And she intended to make certain his movements didn’t overlap with her movements.

“So you’re saying you’re happy to come with me to Lapland?”

Happy? Happy? Did she look happy?

“I’m not coming with you, Zac. I’m taking Holly.” Why did he have to look at her so intently? It was unnerving. “If you choose to be there, too, that’s your business.”

“And you think you’re the best person to do this?”

“Have you ever considered retraining as a lawyer? This is starting to feel like an inquisition.” First he told her she was a terrible friend, and now he was questioning whether she was capable of looking after a child. “And I happen to think I’m the perfect person to do this. Christmas is all about fun, and I am great at fun. No one takes fun as seriously as I do.” She thought she saw amusement in his eyes, but then it was gone.

“Fun isn’t all about expensive toys.”

“No. You can have fun with toys of all budgets.” Her joke didn’t raise a smile, and she decided she must have imagined the amusement. There promised to be very little fun with him around. Did the man even know how to laugh? She lifted her glass to her lips and then realized she’d finished the champagne.