Home for the Holidays by Elizabeth Tate

Author:Elizabeth Tate [Tate, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-12-07T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Three

I stayed up all night messaging with my film company. I couldn’t throw my life’s work out the window, but I knew that if I had to say goodbye to Mark, I’d never leave. The familiar pain of losing love hit me like a tidal wave. I couldn’t go through it a second time. Not when the love of my life lived just around the corner from my parents.

But no matter who I talked to, there wasn’t anything I could do. Not without risking my career. I was at a loss. I lay back in bed with tear-stained cheeks, thinking about how Mark’s lips felt against mine. Thinking about how well we’d always gotten along growing up.

He knew everything about me. All of my deepest secrets. I wondered if I knew all of his. But of course I didn’t. I hadn’t even known about the stroke his father had. My stomach twisted. His parents had always been sweet to me. They’d told me on many occasions that they wished Mark would end up with someone like me.

I needed to see his parents before I left town. I needed to say my goodbyes right this time. With a smile and a couple of tears, I drifted into sleep. I was both eager for and dreading the next day.

---

I woke up bright and early and dressed in my best winter clothes. Fitted, dark-wash jeans, brown leather boots and my favorite cream sweater. I kissed my parents on the cheek on my way out the door, feeling every bit the child that I’d been before I left.

I skipped to my car and drove to Mark’s parents’ house. His car was sitting in the driveway and I wondered if he lived there now. I cursed myself for being a colossal jerk the past few years. But how could I have known? If I had, I certainly would’ve let my anger fade much faster.

I ran to the front door and rapped my knuckles against the wood. Snow was starting to fall and peppers my hair with little white flakes. I was shaking them off when the door swung open.

“Mr. Brooks! Hi! How are you?” I wrapped my arms around him and he enveloped me right back.

“I haven’t seen you, dear Emily, in years!”

“I know.” I tucked my hair behind my ears and caught the sight of Mark down the hallway. He turned to face me, but was caught on the phone. He held up his index finger and disappeared into the nearest room.

I felt the tiniest bit worried that he was talking to another girl. I never even thought to ask if he was seeing anyone, but then he didn’t ask me either.

“Come in, come in,” said Mark’s mom who had just appeared in the foyer. The two ushered me into the living room and offered me coffee.

“How did you know Mark was over?” asked his dad.

“I didn’t,” I said. “I just guessed.”

His mom handed me a cup of coffee. “He’s been so attentive over the years.

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