His Until Christmas (Con Riley's Christmas Collection) by Con Riley

Author:Con Riley [Riley, Con]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Figment Ink
Published: 2024-11-20T00:00:00+00:00

9

I get back to business the next morning, although part of me spins in slow circles all the way to work. I don’t even huff at the usual crush of commuters, their numbers swollen by seasonal shoppers and rucksack-wearing tourists who squash me. Instead, I replay a conversation that travels with me on the Circle line. Today the Tube train wheels sing I don’t know how to strike a balance.

It’s so easy for me to fix that problem for Reece.

I do it by sending SOS emails to fundraising professionals. I mention the children more money could help if Reece knew how to raise it and how their expertise could make all the difference. These are busy people, but seeing his forehead furrows lessen when one agrees to meet with him early next year makes reaching out worth it.

Those furrows deepen in a hurry again when guests arrive after lunchtime, but I’m okay with seeing this brand of concern on him. It’s aimed at the kids who didn’t make it to the community centre. He’s grateful I invited them here with their families, if a touch worried. “It’s so good to see them, but they can’t have the cash to burn on travelling in and out of Zone One.”

“It’s all covered,” I promise as I leave him to do what he does best. “I raided Rex’s dog-treat budget.”

Repaying that embezzlement is also easy—I send Rex a photo later of Reece on a hairy sofa surrounded by smiling faces, to which Rex replies with a video-call request.

“Smart thinking,” he says over the sound of waves crashing and his dogs barking, so I guess I’m forgiven. “Hang on. Let me find somewhere quieter.”

The screen freezes, then I’m faced with Rex looking in dire need of so much more than my lint roller. His hair is a salt-stiff disaster. He’s also haloed by light streaming through the window of his family’s chapel as his voice echoes.

“Can I say hello to the kids?”

I deliver my phone to Reece and leave them to it, then I get busy with my laptop at the kitchen table, filling gaps in a party planning template.

Staying focussed is hard each time laughter drifts along the hallway to distract me.

I can’t have shut the study door behind me—Reece’s laughter rings out, and I like that so much better than his pre-party gruffness. I know exactly when Rex joins in. His hur hur hur makes the children giggle.

I also get distracted by my scarf when Reece heads off without it later to walk his guests back to the station. “Wait!” I follow him outside, aware the families watch as I loop it around his neck and then can’t help straightening each tassel.

Reece smiling down at me makes my hot throat worth it. He also murmurs, “Don’t worry. I’m not planning on staying out for long. I haven’t forgotten tonight’s party.” His sigh clouds, white and gusty. “Thanks for this, Jack. For everything. Maybe I can balance both parts of the job. I only wish…”

“You wish what?” I edge closer, our feet practically dovetailed.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.