The Affair

Chapter 18

DECEMBER

I can't help but smile at her. When she catches my gaze, she smiles back, and I continue to watch and smile. She's dressed for the weather, in a oversized sweater and jeans, with Doc Marten boots. I only showered an hour or so ago and haven't even gotten dressed. I'm wearing sweatpants and slippers.

Right now she's looking over the tree that's just been delivered to my apartment. I finally agreed to get it after she whined and begged me to. She motions at me to come to her. I take a sip of my wine, then go to her. It smells very strongly of pine and is much bigger than I had expected it to be.

"What do you think?"

"Well, it... there's certainly a tree in my living room now."

She rolls her eyes and smiles.

"It's the middle of December and you didn't have a tree. You have to have a Christmas tree."

"Trees belong outside."

She laughs and nudges me easily.

"So cynical."

"I've never put a tree up in my home."

She's messing with the branches, they're wet from the snow that's been coming down since this afternoon, and glances at me.

"Why?"

"I usually spend Christmas alone, unless one of my siblings begs me to come visit. Why would I put a tree up? I'm not married. I have no children. I don't enjoy it. Seems pointless."

"Have they asked you to come spend it with them?"

I nod.

"And? Are you going to go?"

"I don't know. I don't think so. Don't really feel up to traveling that far."

She kisses me, wraps her around around my waist, and rests her face to my chest. I kiss her hair and inhale her perfume, squeeze her tightly, and hold her.

"We were going to spend this Christmas in Florida with Hugh's parents. I'll stay here and be with you."

I look down and raise my eyebrows at her.

"You want to stay?"

"Yes. I don't want you to be alone."

I smile, grin, and kiss her slowly on the mouth.

"I would like that," I say quietly. "When is he going to leave?"

"The 23rd. He'll be back the 27th."

"Four days together, then."

"Does that make you happy?"

I nod and kiss her again. It does. I wasn't expecting to see her at Christmas and had already begun to feel bitter over it. It's her favorite holiday, as she's told me more than once, and she's been quite excited over it. She's the exact opposite of me. I dread all holidays. But the thought of spending it with her gives me something to look forward to.

"Your first Christmas in New York," she says. "We should go ice skating. Have you been yet?"

I laugh and so does she.

"Ice skating? Can you see me ice skating? I'm liable to break a leg or an ankle."

"That's what makes it fun. I could never see you on ice skates. Won't you do it for me?"

She gives me her eyes, the ones I can't refuse, and I kiss the tip of her nose softly.

"Of course I will. Anything to make you happy."