Alina didn’t know that it was possible to miss someone so much, but she felt the loss from her life clear down to the depths of her bones.
Amid her misery, Christmas Eve arrived in a flurry of activity. Everyone was making plans to move out. Moving boxes had been piled in the hallways, waiting to be filled so that Graham’s people could move them to either storage or their new apartment.
Alina hadn’t packed one solitary item. Just the thought of it turned her stomach. Instead she’d taken every single shift available at the café. She’d had to stay busy. It’d been the only way to get through the pain of losing Graham. And that was why she’d agreed to take over someone else’s shift on Christmas Eve.
The café was about to close early when the front door opened. Alina turned to tell whoever it was that they were closed, and her gaze met Graham’s. Her words hovered at the back of her mouth and then dissipated. What was he doing here?
Alina stared deeply into Graham’s eyes, drinking in his very essence. But was it possible to move past everything that had happened? Could she truly love a man who took away her home—the place where her most precious memories lived?
Her heart pounded out its hope. It wanted Graham back at all costs. But her mind said to move cautiously because he’d hurt her once and she didn’t know how she’d live through another heartbreak.
She continued to stare at him as he approached her. She dug deep and found her courage. She swallowed hard. She hoped when she spoke that her voice didn’t give away her nervousness.
“Why are you here?” she asked as they stood in the middle of the Christmas Café. She hadn’t seen him since he’d returned her shawl.
“I had to come. There’s something important you need to see.”
Her eyes widened. “Has something happened? Is it the building?”
“Calm down, Alina.” Graham went to reach out to her—to comfort her—but then he hesitated and lowered his arm back to his side. “It’s nothing like that.”
Relief rushed through her body. “Then whatever it is, you don’t need me.” She just wanted him to go away. Seeing him—being so close to him and yet they’d never been so far apart—was killing her on the inside.
“But you don’t understand, you’re the key to everything. Please come with me.”
“I... I can’t.” She glanced around to find her coworkers staring at them. “I have to close up.”
Sally stepped forward. “It’s okay. We can manage. Why don’t you go find out what he wants?”
Alina turned to her friend and glared. She was supposed to be helping Alina out of this extremely awkward position with her ex—wait, was Graham her ex? They’d never really talked through the specifics of their relationship.
“Please, Alina. I think you’re going to like this.” Graham’s eyes pleaded with her.
“I don’t know.”
Just then her coworkers started with a low chant of “Go. Go. Go.” It grew in volume. Alina’s mouth gaped. These people were pushing her to do something her mind said was a mistake even as her heart longed to find out what he wanted. What was so urgent?
Sally handed over her coat and purse. Alina’s mouth opened to protest but Sally gave her a gentle push toward the door.
“Have fun,” Sally said. “And merry Christmas.”
Alina begrudgingly walked to the door. When she paused and glanced back, everyone was still staring at them. The chanting had stopped and instead they all wore pleased grins. They were traitors. Each and every one of them.
She shrugged on her coat and then walked through the door Graham held open for her. Once they were on the sidewalk, she noticed a black sedan with the driver opening the door for them.
“Where...” Her voice wavered. She swallowed hard, willing her nerves to calm. “Where are we going?”
“Back to the past.”
“The past?” She was confused. He was talking in riddles.
“And the future.”
He was absolutely no help. What was he trying to tell her? And why was he being so cryptic about it all?
“Please, Alina. I promise it’ll be worth it.”
She got in the car. They slowly made their way through the congested streets. She felt as though she should make conversation to break the awkward silence. But then, just as quickly, she realized that none of this was her idea. If he didn’t like the quiet he could do something about it. But for the moment, he seemed inclined to ride along in silence.