Holly put her arms up to Alix, and she leaned in and hugged the child, breathing in shampoo and innocence and feeling the tickle of soft curls. “Good night, sweet pea.”

“I love you, Aunty Alix.”

“I...love you, too.” She stumbled over the words, conscious of Zac listening. What was wrong with her, that she even found those words difficult to say to a child? A child she really did love?

But Holly seemed satisfied with her faltering response. “You’re as beautiful as a princess and as smart as an astronaut.”

“Oh! Well, thank you. I think.”

Holly snuggled down, the reindeer tucked under her chin. “When you get married, can I be your bridesmaid?”

“I... What? I don’t—Yes! Absolutely.” Bridesmaid? Where had that come from? “There’s no one else I’d want as a bridesmaid. You’d be the best. The only one—” Oh stop babbling, Alix! “But I probably won’t get married so—”

“Why?” Holly’s eye were huge and round.

Why, why, why. Everything was why.

“Because—” Oh help! This was why she should never be left alone with a child. This was as bad as a conversation about Santa. Worse. “I am happy on my own. And that’s okay. Not everyone wants to get married, Holly. You have to meet the right person.” And you had to have strong feelings for someone, and she’d trained herself never to have strong feelings. You also had to be good at relationships, and that definitely wasn’t one of her skills.

Holly wriggled closer. “Uncle Zac isn’t married, either. You could marry him.”

Zac made a choked sound. “Now, there’s an interesting idea.”

Alix bared her teeth and focused on Holly. “Generally two people have to love each other before they get married.”

“I love Uncle Zac. Don’t you love Uncle Zac?”

Alix slumped, defeated. How did Christy handle all the awkward questions? Still, as long as Holly didn’t ask how babies were made.

“I’m sure there are many people who would consider Uncle Zac a...” A what? “A fine person.”

“A fine person?”

She looked at him. “I’m sure you have a few redeeming qualities.”

Zac raised an eyebrow. “I had no idea you had such a high opinion of me. I suggest we book the church right away.”

“Enough!” There was a limit to how far she’d let this conversation go, even to please Holly. “Time for bed, or your mummy will be upset with me for letting you stay up so late.”

“Okay.” Holly snuggled down. “I love you, Uncle Zac.”

“I love you, too.” He seemed entirely comfortable with the words.

How many women had he said them to?

She stood up quickly and tucked the covers around Holly. The answer to that question was of no interest to her. “Sleep now.”

Holly reached for Zac’s hand. “If you could marry Aunty Alix, then I could be your bridesmaid.”

Alix fled and headed for the fridge.

Wine. Robyn had definitely mentioned wine. And boy, did she need it.

She pulled out a bottle and found two glasses. Presumably Zac was in need of a drink as much as she was.