Alexander stepped out of the airport, the humid air of Florida hitting him. He gripped his suitcase as he walked toward the rental car station. He tried not to think about what he was about to do. He was not one to grovel, but the past month of texting back and forth with Charley was getting them nowhere. And what he needed to say couldn’t be said over the phone.

Her messages had been more aloof lately. Like she was pulling back from him. He clenched his jaw as he thought about what that might mean. He didn’t like the answer.

He secured a rental car and drove to the address Charley had given him. By the time he arrived at the apartment complex, the sun had almost set. He wasn’t sure if she was home or not, but he had to talk to her now, so he parked the car and took a chance. He jaunted up the walkway and knocked on the door marked 4D.

No one answered. He knocked again. The third time he knocked, a blonde woman passed by him. She turned and her gaze traveled over him. “You looking for Charley?” she said, her voice sultry.

“Yes.”

“She’s at work. You won’t catch her until she gets off.”

“When will that be?”

“I don’t know. Late.” She gave him a smile. “You could wait for her in my apartment.”

“No,” he said abruptly. Then added, “Thank you. Where does she work?”

“At the diner on the corner of sixteenth and Pine.” She pointed and he thanked her once again before climbing back into his rental car. He didn’t want to sit around and wait for her. What he had to say couldn’t wait.

He drove several blocks down to the corner and parked his car. The diner was an old mom and pop place with seventies decorating. He walked in and the hostess greeted him. “Table for one?”

Why did that always make him grumpy? “Yes,” he said, his voice gruff. Then he decided to add, “Can you seat me in Charley’s section?”

The hostess smiled at him. “Can do.”

She led him to a booth and he slid onto the seat. She gave him a menu. “Your server will be here soon.” She winked at him and then left.

He suddenly grew nervous. What would Charley say when she saw him? Would she be angry he came? Or could it be possible she’d be happy?

He gripped his menu and glanced around the restaurant. Charley wasn’t in sight. His heart pounded as he waited for her to appear. He didn’t have to wait long. She walked out of the kitchen holding two plates. She wore a uniform with black slacks, which didn’t suit her at all. She passed right by him without notice. After she dropped the plates off at another table, she came around to his booth. She fished her notepad out of her pocket before glancing at him. As soon as her gaze connected with his, she froze. “Alexander? What are you doing here?”

He wasn’t sure what to say. Seeing her again was a surreal experience. All of his emotions came rushing back to him. He cleared his throat. “I think we need to talk.”

She raised her eyebrows, but a smile formed on her lips. “Okay. Let me talk to Shelly. I’m due for a break anyway. Do you want something to drink?”

“A Coke.”

“I’ll get it for you and be with you in a second.”

Her manner was professional. What was he to expect? That she would give him a hug right there in the diner? She was working. Of course she wouldn’t. He waited for her to come back to the table, his nerves making him wonder if this even was a good idea.

When Charley finally came back, she set a Coke down in front of him and then slid into the booth. She smiled at him. “It’s good to see you again.”

He was so anxious about how she was going to react to what he had to say, he simply nodded and took his soda in his hands.

She looked at him apprehensively. “What did you want to talk about?”

“I need Christmas back in my life,” he blurted. Then he shook his head. That wasn’t what he meant to say at all.

Charley looked at him, her eyebrows pulled together. “What?”

“What I mean, is...” He swallowed. “I miss the spirit that you brought into the house.”

She smiled at him, although it seemed reserved. “It will come back. Next December.”

“No,” he said quickly. He was messing this all up. The words weren’t coming out right. “You brought that spirit in. It wasn’t Christmas. It was you.”

Charley stared at him. Then she slowly shook her head. “It wasn’t me.” She reached across the table and took his hands in hers. “You had shut out everything from your life. You had shut out the joy, the giving and the love of Christmas. I just showed you how to let it back in.”

Was she trying to let him down easy? Did she not feel the same way about him? Or was he just blowing it big time? “I miss you,” he said, unable to stop himself. Man, he was pathetic.

“I miss you too.” She smiled at him, but it was not the smile he remembered. None of the spark was left in her eyes.

He swallowed the lump in his throat. She didn’t love him. Her emotions were carefully in check. And he needed to get out of there. He stood and pulled out his wallet. “I made a mistake. I shouldn’t have come.”

Charley’s eyes widened. “I didn’t mean...”

“No, this is not your fault.” He tossed a few bills on the table and left while he still had some pride.