Read Online A Curvy Christmas by Harmony Raines - Free Book Online Page A

enough.
    She shouldn’t have doubted Helen for her tactfulness. Coming into the kitchen she said, “We need to be going, Robin.”
    “Are you sure?” Robin asked, mouthing ‘thank you’ to Helen. “Let me introduce you to Greg first. Greg, this is Helen. Helen, I would like you to meet Greg.”
    “Hi, Greg,” Helen said offering him her hand.
    “Hello, Helen. Nice to meet one of Robin’s friends. Don’t let me chase you away.”
    “No. I have to get two very excited girls bathed and ready for bed. They keep telling me it’s a very special night tonight. But I can’t remember what.” She put a puzzled look on her face.
    “It’s Christmas! Santa’s coming!” The girls both shouted so loud Robin winced.
    “Oh, yeah. Now I remember.”
    “Why don’t I box some of these cakes up for you to take with you. I don’t know why I baked so many, but you know me.”
    “Yes, please,” said Laura, and began to choose the ones she wanted, while Robin placed them neatly in a box.
    “Now you two are going to go to sleep nice and early tonight, aren’t you? I heard Santa only comes to little girls who are asleep.”
    “We are, aren't we Jess?”
    “Yes. We’ll hang up our stockings, and the sooner we go to sleep the sooner we’ll wake up to presents.”
    “That is exactly right,” said Helen. “So let’s go. Nice to meet you Greg.”
    “You too Helen,” he said, smiling at the girls. “Here, do you want a cracker each too? There's too many for me and Robin.” He ripped the box open and handed one each to the girls.
    “Thanks,” they beamed,and then headed out, chatting to each other and trying to guess what was inside.
    “I’ll just be a minute,” Robin said, following Helen out.
    “Have a wonderful time, Robin.” Kissing her friend on the cheek, and then lowering her voice to say, “You never mentioned how hot he was. I wouldn’t mind one of those in my Christmas stocking.”
    “What did you say you wanted Mommy?” Jess asked. “Because you could always write Santa, it’s not too late. He’s magic, he can bring you anything.”
    “Perhaps that should be my Christmas wish,” Helen said sadly.
    “You don’t need a man to be happy.” Robin pulled her into her arms. “Have a wonderful time. And if I don’t see you before, I am wishing you and the girls the most fantastic New Year.”
    “Thanks, Robin.” She wiped a tear away. “I am so soppy.”
    “Merry Christmas my two favourite children,” Robin said pulling the girls into her arms, and feeling their sticky finger on her face.
    “Thanks for the cakes. You are the best cake maker in the world. We might even leave one out for Santa tonight, along with his mince pie.”
    “If you do, I hope he likes it and you get everything you want for Christmas.” Robin smiled as they went out the apartment. “Bye. Merry Christmas.” She waved until they turned a corner and disappeared out of sight, even then she didn’t close the door and go back in. Her resolve was in danger of slipping.
    No more excuses, she had to march straight back into the kitchen and tell Greg about her past, she wanted to enjoy Christmas with him, and that was not going to happen unless she unburdened herself.
    Sighing, she quietly closed the door, and summoned up her mental strength to talk about something she never had before. Not to anyone, not since it had happened. She couldn’t fairly commit to Greg without him knowing what he was getting himself into. And she couldn’t allow herself to be with him freely with this hanging over her.
    “They are a lovely family,” Greg said, he was busy unpacking the bags he had bought back with him, sorting the food out into piles, which would have to be squeezed into the fridge, or put in the cupboard. Then he smiled with triumph, and lifted bottle of red wine out. “There. Shall we break this open now. I’ve bought another bottle of white for tomorrow to have with lunch.”
    “OK. I’ll get glasses,” She went to