Page 30 of The Lie That Stole Christmas

“Sweetie.Whether she did or not, your mother and the pool boy were front-page news.All anyone had to do was check their notifications or open their browser, and they would have seen it.”

“Aunt Marilyn turned it into a spectacle.It could have been handled quietly.Respectfully.”

“I say this with all the love in my heart for you: nothing about the situation was respectful, and that was your mother’s cross to bear.”He adjusted the cuffs of his coat, tugging at the expensive material.“And you forgave her.”

Silence spread between them as Luca’s words settled in her mind.He made a valid point.Then again, Camille Wetherby would not be ignored.She had called Ashley five times a day for a week before showing up at her place.She didn’t let a week pass, let alone eight years.

“Are we ready?”Tori asked as she and Taylor hurried across the heated cobblestone.Snow lined the driveway and covered the lawn, but the driveway and pathways were all cleared.Taylor tugged on a pair of leather gloves as Tori shoved her phone in her bag.

“Is everything okay with your client?”Ashley asked.

“For now.I have put my out of office up on email and have turned my ringer and notifications off.For the next two hours, I want to catch up and shop until we can’t walk another step.”

The ride took no time as Ashley, Tori, and Taylor caught each other up with their lives as best they could.As Luca turned the car onto Greenwich Avenue, Taylor sighed, sinking into the leather seat.“I still can’t believe he lied about dying,” she said the thing that no one else would say but had been hanging over their heads like a black cloud.

“It was cruel,” Tori said.“But I expect no less from the man who called us spoiled brats.”

“He was grieving,” Ashley said and caught Luca’s eye in the rearview mirror, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he gave her a nod.

“Doesn’t make it right,” Tori countered.

Taylor fidgeted with the fingers of her gloves.“I wonder what Grandma Lily would think of all of this.”

“She’d be devastated,” Ashley said, and Tori agreed.

“I’m surprised she hasn’t found a way to slap the shit out of Grandpa.”

“Taylor!”Tori exclaimed before they all fell into a fit of laughter.

Luca pulled the car to a stop and hurried out to open the door.

Ashley tugged her coat tighter as she stepped onto Greenwich Avenue.Twinkling lights wrapped around every lamppost, and designer windows glowed with effortless perfection.The sidewalks were clear with a trace of snow on the grass.The storm hit harder inland.Winterridge got buried when the coast barely saw a dusting.

“Where to first?”Ashley asked.

“It’s been so long since we’ve been here.I don’t even know what’s open anymore.”

“Then let’s just walk and see what calls to us.”

“Now that we’re spending Christmas together,” Taylor said, “should we get gifts for everyone?”

“I hadn’t thought about that,” Ashley admitted.

“Grandma Lily always had piles of presents under the tree on Christmas morning.It just won’t feel right without them.”Taylor shrugged before picking a piece of fuzz off her coat.

“Does anyone actually deserve gifts?”Tori asked.

“I do.”Taylor didn’t even hesitate.“Can’t speak for everyone else, though.”

“Maybe we should do a Secret Santa so we don’t have to buy for everyone,” Ashley offered.

“But we’re already here, and what if I see the perfect gift?But I don’t get it because I don’t think that person will be my Secret Santa.I can’t expect Luca to drive me all the way back.”

Tori squeezed Taylor’s shoulder, and Taylor took a deep breath.

“I’m just saying.”

Ashley picked up on Taylor’s anxiety and smiled at her.“Buy as many gifts as you want.”