The Holiday Swap(10)

“I don’t care what the town thinks, I really don’t.” They both knew this was a lie: Brett was all about appearances these days.

“Keep the ring, Brett,” Cass said. “It’s over.” Her heart had started to race and her palms were sweaty—but at least she had said it. Soon, she could leave. “And obviously I can’t accept this house. It’s gorgeous, so you should have no problem selling it again.”

“No. I can’t accept that we’re over, Cass,” Brett said quietly as he turned the ring box over in his hands.

“I know it’s hard. You’ll get through this. We both will.” Her voice was shaky, and she felt like the walls were closing in—and beyond that, as if her already tiny hometown was getting tinier. Her throat was starting to feel tight. “I just . . . I need to go.” With that she hurried to the front door and slammed her feet into her boots.

Brett was on her heels. “Cass, wait! Please, just stay. Let’s have dinner and talk. I’m sure we can work this out.”

Cass had her hand on the doorknob now. She forced herself to be firm again. “No, Brett. It’s over between us.” Soon she would be outside, breathing fresh air that didn’t smell of simmering red sauce and failure. She’d call Charlie back and tell her everything, and her sister would assure her she was doing the right thing. She’d go back to the bakery and make a pot of rosemary tea, her mother’s remedy for a headache. She’d distract herself with work, maybe even get ahead for tomorrow.

She pushed the door open and stepped onto the porch, taking in a deep breath of the wintry air.

“Please come back inside,” Brett said in a low voice.

But Cass headed down the stairs. She heard Brett call out and turned around to see him fumbling with his shoes so he could follow her.

“Cass, don’t do this. It’s freezing out here,” he said when he caught up to her at the end of the walkway. He was coatless and shivering. “Things don’t make sense without you!” The snow fell lightly, the flakes settling on his blond hair. “Please. We can work this out.”

Cass sighed, taking in the face she knew so well. She felt badly for hurting him, even if she knew it was the right thing to do. “I don’t think we can. I can’t accept your proposal, and I definitely can’t accept this house. It’s over. Please respect that.”

“What if all you need is a little more time?”

It was then they saw Sharon, who had stepped out from the darkness between the streetlights, her dogs sniffing around a lamp base and looking for a spot to relieve themselves. From the look on Sharon’s face, she had seen and heard everything.

Brett glanced at Sharon, then at Cass, giving her a pleading look. “I love you, Cass. I’m going to let you go tonight—but only because I know in my heart we’re meant to be and you’re going to come back to me. I know that. And you’ll realize it eventually, too, once you get over this . . . this quarter-life crisis you’re going through.” He lowered his voice ever so slightly, though Sharon and her dogs had already moved a few feet closer.

Cass wished Sharon would walk in the other direction and mind her own business, but that was highly unlikely. “I’ll be here waiting,” he went on, “with the ring, and the house—with everything we’ve ever dreamed of. We are going to be together, Cass Goodwin. We are going to get married.”

Cass opened and closed her mouth but nothing came out. Brett gave her a smile, then waved to Sharon and exchanged pleasantries with her before walking back into the house—which he still somehow believed was going to be theirs.

“Twice in one night,” Sharon said, now beside Cass. “Sit.” Her poodles immediately sat on either side of Sharon, like statues.

“Sorry?” Cass said, still dazed.

“It’s nice to see you twice in one night,” Sharon repeated. “How are your parents enjoying their trip? I went to Cabo on my honeymoon. Worst food poisoning of my life.”

“Yeah, they’re fine. Having fun, last I talked to them.” She longed for her mother in that moment, for her comforting embrace and sage advice—which was often so similar to Charlie’s advice. But she was entirely on her own. Cass stared up at the house, saw the front window curtain move slightly, and knew Brett was watching, probably hoping she wasn’t sharing too much with Sharon.

“It’s a beautiful house,” Sharon said, following Cass’s gaze. “And Brett is such a great guy. You’re lucky.”

“Um, yes. Sure am.” Cass needed to go, to put some distance between herself, the house, Brett and prying Sharon. “I have to get back to the bakery. Enjoy your walk.”

Cass’s thoughts spun as she headed back. She pulled out her phone to call Charlie back, but it rang in her hand.

“Charlie,” Cass answered. “I have so much to tell you. I went to see Brett—”

“Cass, hold that thought, okay?” her sister said. “I need your help with something. I know it’s going to be the very last thing in the world you want to do, and will push you way outside your comfort zone, but I need you to think about how much you love me and how you’d do anything for me and how much I need this. My career depends on it.”

This made Cass stop in the middle of the sidewalk and press the phone tighter to her ear. “Depends on what? Charlie, are you okay? What’s going on?”