BRONWYN Christmas morning felt like stepping into a movie. The tree sparkled with lights, wrapping paper covered the floor. Mom passed out coffee and cinnamon rolls while Eudora sorted presents into piles. "Okay this one's for Bronwyn. This one's for Mom. Oh, this one's mine." I sat on the couch next to Calliope and tried to feel normal. Trenton was in the armchair across from me. Our eyes met for half a second before he looked away. We took turns opening gifts. I got a sweater from Celeste and perfume from Eudora. Calliope gave me a cookbook with a note that said "For when you get tired of takeout." I laughed and thanked her. Then Eudora handed Trenton a flat rectangular package. "This one's special," she said. "I made it myself." He unwrapped it carefully. Inside was a framed photo of him and a woman I'd never seen before. She had dark hair and a warm smile. They were standing on a beach somewhere with the ocean behind them. "That's from your anniversary trip to Maine," Eudora said softly. "I found it in the attic." Trenton stared at the photo. His jaw tightened and his eyes got wet. "Dora." "I thought you might want it, for your office or something." He set the frame down and pulled her into a hug. "Thank you." I looked away. This was a family moment. A private thing. I felt like I was intruding just by being there. Celeste wiped her eyes. Calliope reached over and squeezed my hand. After presents we cleaned up and had breakfast. Then Celeste announced we had four hours to get ready for the party. "Party?" I asked. "Annual Rhiggs Christmas gathering," Eudora said. "Everyone who's anyone shows up. It's kind of a big deal." Great. --- By two o'clock the house was full of people. Catering staff moved through rooms with trays of food and champagne. Someone had hired a pianist. The whole place looked like something out of a magazine. I wore a dark green dress that Eudora insisted I borrow. It fit perfectly but I still felt out of place. "You look amazing," Eudora said. She was in red with her hair curled. "Come on. I'll introduce you around." I met what felt like a hundred people. Business partners. Old family friends. People whose names I forgot immediately. Everyone was polite but I could feel them sizing me up, wondering who I was and why I was here. Trenton was across the room talking to a group of men in suits. He looked good. He wore dark slacks and a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Then the front door opened and a woman walked in. She was stunning. She had long black hair and perfect makeup. She scanned the room until she found Trenton and headed straight for him. I felt threatened by her. "Who's that?" I asked Eudora. "Oh, that's Brilliana Santos. Dad's assistant." My stomach dropped. Brilliana touched Trenton's arm and said something that made him smile. She laughed too loud at whatever he said back. Then she stayed right there next to him like she belonged. I grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing tray. "You okay?" Eudora asked. "I'm fine." I forced a smile. But I wasn't fine. I watched Brilliana lean in close to Trenton. My eyes closed on her hand that lingered on his shoulder. He didn't pull away. "I need some air," I said. I went out to the back patio where it was quieter. A few people stood around a heat lamp smoking cigarettes. I walked to the far end and gripped the railing. "That was quite a show in there." I turned. Fionn stood behind me holding a beer. He was Celeste's age with gray hair and kind eyes. I'd met him earlier. He was an old friend of the family. "It's a nice party," I said. "That's not what I meant." He came to stand next to me. "You're the one, aren't you? The reason Trent's been different lately." My heart stopped. "I don't know what you're talking about." "I've known Trenton since he was twenty. He gets this look when he cares about someone. The same look he had with Isolde." Fionn took a sip of his beer. "He's got it now when he looks at you." I didn't say anything. "Good," Fionn said. "He deserves happiness. Just be ready for the fallout when people find out." "There's nothing to find out." He smiled. "Sure. Merry Christmas, Bronwyn." He walked back inside and I stayed there trying to breathe. --- I went back in after twenty minutes. Brilliana was still attached to Trenton's side. She whispered something in his ear and he laughed. That was it. I headed for the stairs. Nobody noticed me leave. I made it to the second floor and kept walking until I reached Trenton's bedroom. I went inside and closed the door. The room was dark and quiet. I sat on the edge of his bed and put my head in my hands. The door opened a few minutes later. "Bronwyn." Trenton closed the door behind him and crossed the room. "What are you doing?" I asked. "I saw you come up here." "You should go back to your party. I'm sure Brilliana is looking for you." He stopped in front of me. "She means nothing." "She wants you." "I don't care what she wants." "She's beautiful and successful and she doesn't have to hide." He cupped my face. "I only want you." "Trenton." "I mean it." He kissed me and I tried to stay mad but I couldn't. I grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer. He pushed me back onto the bed and I wrapped my legs around him. "The party," I breathed. "I don't care." He unzipped my dress and I worked on his belt. We moved fast. He lifted me up and pressed me against the door. My back hit the wood and I gasped. "Quiet," he whispered. I bit my lip as he pushed inside me. Music and voices drifted up from downstairs. Anyone could come looking for him. Anyone could knock on the door. That made it better somehow. I dug my nails into his shoulders and he buried his face in my neck. We moved together and his hand covered my mouth when my moans got too loud. When it was over we stayed there pressed together, both of us breathing heavy. "We can't keep doing this," I said. "I know." But neither of us moved. --- We got dressed quickly. He fixed his hair and I smoothed down my dress. I was about to open the door when the doorbell rang downstairs. We both froze. Then Eudora's voice carried up the stairs. "Huxley! Oh my god, what are you doing here?" The blood drained from my face. Huxley Reed. My ex from Boston. What the hell was he doing in Pinehaven?
