“No, you said no PlayStation for Christmas,” he reminds me and reaches for a cookie, taking a bite. “That’s not a PlayStation.”
“It’s a video game console.”
“Yes.”
Oh my God, I’m going to shove that cookie up his nose.
“Sam, I told you that I didn’t want him to have that. He’s too young.”
“It’s something he and I can do together.”
I lean on the counter and stare at him.
“And it’s not a PlayStation,” he continues. “This console has way more games that are age-appropriate for him.”
“Great. Okay, whatever.”
I move to walk away, but he catches my hand.
“Don’t be mad.”
Don’t be mad? You’ve got to be kidding me!
“You don’t get to just decide that you don’t care what I think, and do the exact opposite anyway, Sam. Is this going to be the way it is over the next dozen or so years? Because that’s crap. We’re supposed to make decisions together.”
“That’s not what this was. You decided and expected me to just fall in line, Tash. I didn’t agree.”
“You didn’t tell me that at the time. There was no further discussion. You just did what you wanted to anyway.”
His jaw tightens. “I’m a grown man. I don’t need to have discussions with you over every little thing.”
“And now we’re done here because it’s Christmas and I don’t want to kill you on a sacred holiday.”
I walk away and do my best not to cry.
Not tears of sadness. Tears of rage.
What a jerk.
I start throwing loose paper into a garbage sack and come across one last box under the tree.
For me.
I frown and open the package, and then feel tears fill my eyes for a totally different reason.
It’s a day at the spa—massage, hair, and nails.
And it’s signed by all three of them.
“Damn it,” I mutter and then feel Sam walk up behind me. His hands rest on my shoulders. “I wanted to be mad at you.”
“You still can be.”
“No, I can’t. Because you got me a whole day of pampering. I haven’t had my hair or nails done since…before.”
“I know.”
“And I like to do those things. I’ve missed it. I used to get it all done at least twice a month. But there hasn’t been time, and I look awful.”
“Okay, now you’re taking it too far.” He turns me around and wraps his arms around me in a tight hug. “You always look great.”
“I don’t feel like it.”
“You need to be pampered for a day. And you should really start doing those things for yourself again, Tash. It’ll make you feel more like yourself.”
“Yeah. It’s just hard to go into the salon.”
“It isn’t going anywhere,” he reminds me. “Monica wouldn’t want you to avoid it.”
“If I died, I’d want her to avoid it.” I sniffle, and he laughs.
“No, you wouldn’t.”
“You’re right.” I take a deep breath. “Thank you for this. It’ll feel good.”
“You’re welcome. Are you still mad?”
“Yes.” I sigh. “Just talk to me next time, okay? So I’m not blindsided?”
“That’s fair. I’m sorry that I didn’t talk to you.”
“Okay.”
“I’m hungry,” Kevin announces.
“I’ll make breakfast,” I reply. “How about pancakes and bacon?”
“With huckleberries?”
“Sure. You can help me flip them.”
“I wanna flip, too,” Kelsey says as the kids run for the kitchen.
“I need to get dressed before we flip pancakes,” I say to Sam and head for the bedroom. “Do you mind gathering the last of the trash?”
“Sure thing.”
I hurry back to quickly change, and then stop short.
There, on the bed, is a brand new robe and slippers on the floor.
Sam totally spoiled me for Christmas this year. I know I should stay miffed at him, but it’s impossible when he’s so generous.
And sexy, damn him.
I bury my face in the soft cashmere and breathe deeply before changing into clean leggings and a T-shirt, throwing my hair up in a knot before hurrying back out to the kitchen.
“Okay, pancakes with huckleberries, coming up.”
“And bacon,” Kevin reminds me. “Don’t forget the bacon.”
“That’s the most important piece,” I agree and kiss his head before opening the fridge to gather supplies. “Did you both have a good Christmas morning?”
“Yes,” they say in unison.
“I got almost everything on my list,” Kelsey says.
“Was something missing?” I ask her.
She shrugs her little shoulder and looks down. “I didn’t get to hug Mommy and Daddy today.”
And just like that, my heart shatters into a million pieces.
“I know.” I pull her to me and kiss her cheek. “I would love that, too. But they’re with us, in our hearts. And that’s the most important.”
“I’m really hungry,” Kevin says. “Can we eat?”
“Sure.” I set Kelsey down, who’s smiling once more, and reach for the eggs. “Let’s make breakfast.”
* * *
“When does he leave?” Aspen slides my coffee over the counter at Drips and wipes her hands on a towel as she watches me with sympathetic eyes.
“Two days.” I blow out a breath and will myself not to cry.