Can't Love Christmas

Twenty Nine

Ash opened the door to see Rowan's frown. "Oh, you are home."

"Where else would I be?" She stepped away from the door so he could enter.

"Well then where is your car?" She shut the door firmly behind him, but he made no move to take his coat off, or put down the small bag he carried.

"Oh, it's in the shop. It broke down the other day, and the part hasn't arrived yet I guess."

"Where were you when it broke down?"

"I went shopping in Bardsville to pick up a few last minute things. It happened on the way home."

His brow furrowed. "What did you do?"

"I called for CAA and a tow truck came and got me."

"How long did that take?"

She shrugged. "A few hours."

"Why didn't you call me?" Anger flashed in his eyes, followed by something she couldn't distinguish.

"I didn't want to bother you."

"Cinders, it wouldn't have bothered me."

Ash's eyes widened and she took a step back. "Well, it's not like you could have done anything. I needed a tow truck, I couldn't just leave my car there."

His voice was loud and sharp when he spoke next, "I could have waited with you and made sure you were safe. Not sitting alone on the side of the road for hours waiting for some guy with a tow truck to come get you."

She crossed her arms across her chest. "I don't understand why you're so upset about this."

"I just want to make sure you are safe. You have to know I would have dropped whatever I was doing to come get you if you needed it."

Ash realized he was right, and swallowed around the lump that had formed in her throat. "Well, I know that for next time. Which I really hope never comes. I'm sorry I've worried you, but as you can see, I am fine."

Rowan had the grace to look sheepish. "I'm sorry. It just caught me off guard, and you didn't say anything about it to me. I thought we were closer than that, but I guess I was wrong. It's fine." Ash finally identified the emotion in his eyes: hurt. He continued, "seriously though. Call me next time. I want to be there for you."

Ash responded with a soft "okay." They looked at each other for a long moment before she cleared her throat. "Well, are you going to spend the whole day in the doorway, or actually come in and make yourself comfortable?"

He hung his coat up and toed off his boots, lining them up with Ash's next to the door. He grabbed a bottle of wine from his bag and carried it in.

When he reached the kitchen he noticed the box sitting on her counter with a giant red bow. "What's that?"

"Your present."

"What did you get me a present for?"

"It's part of the festivities tonight."

"I thought you said tonight was going to be chill." He reached out and poked the corner of the box.

"It will be. But you need that for it."

Rowan peered at the box again. "Should I open it now?"

"Yes please!" Ash grabbed the box and headed to the couch, placing the gift on her lap. Rowan followed suit.

"Merry Christmas!" Ash cheered as she handed the present to Rowan.

He pulled the bow off the top of the box and stuck it on Ash's head. Then he ripped through the brown paper and slit through the tape to open the box itself. Inside, a festive sweater lay nestled in red tissue paper. Rowan raised an eyebrow when he looked back at Ash. "Did you seriously buy me an ugly Christmas Sweater?"