6. Lydia

6

LYDIA

Lydia's dream, one year ago

O ne minute, I was on the walking trail with Ben, and the next, I was standing alone in Hailey's parents' study. I could hear everyone down the hall in the kitchen and dining room, laughing and carrying on. The whole house was buzzing with excitement.

I was about to leave the room and join everyone when Hailey walked in, dressed in a red skirt, silver glittery top, and red heels. I remembered that outfit well and thought she looked fabulous in it last year. She shrieked when she saw me. "Holy crap, Lydia, you scared me." She grabbed her chest and sucked in a breath. "When did you get here?"

I shrugged. "Just a second ago. One minute, I was on a walking trail with a hot photographer, and the next, I poofed here."

Her mouth dropped. "A hot photographer? What is it with you meeting sexy guys on Christmas Eve?"

That caught me off guard. Since this was a new dream, I was curious to see what the dream version of Hailey had to say. "Are you talking about Max from the retirement home last year?" I asked.

She nodded and laughed. "Of course. Kind of a bummer you haven't seen him since then. I wonder what happened to him." That was simple . . . he wasn't real. Hailey grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the study. "Tell me about this photographer. Are you two going to go out on a date?"

"Nope." We walked into the kitchen, and the first thing I grabbed was a plate full of her aunt Maria's shrimp. "His name is Ben Davis. His photos are phenomenal."

Hailey waved for me to continue. "And?"

I tossed a shrimp into my mouth and savored it while she waited impatiently. "And nothing," I answered. "He's leaving for the year to go overseas to England."

Hailey frowned. "That stinks. I keep hoping you'll have a Hallmark moment like all the Christmas movies you watch."

"Sorry, Hails, but that isn't going to happen." I finished off my shrimp and grabbed a giant chocolate chip cookie from one of the dessert platters. "I don't think I'm lucky enough for that."

Hailey came over and touched my shoulders, her gaze serious. "You don't need luck, Lydia. Any guy would be lucky to have you. He's out there, I promise."

"Who's out there?" a voice asked from behind me. It was Jake. I hadn't seen him since Christmas Eve the year before.

Hailey groaned in mock annoyance but then smiled at her brother, opening her arms wide. "Come here and hug me. It's been too long."

I turned to face Jake, who was dressed immaculately in an expensive, tan Armani sweater and jeans. Standing right by his side was his girlfriend, Daphne Elsher. She was even more gorgeous in person, with her shiny, dark brown hair and crystal blue eyes. Her skin-tight black dress fit her perfectly, whereas I had on a frumpy Christmas sweater that I made with black leggings and fuzzy black boots. I remembered meeting her in real time during this party last year, but this time, in my dream, it seemed different. She didn't appear as friendly, or maybe I didn't notice when I met her.

Hailey let Jake go and he stepped over to hug me. "It's good to see you, Lydia. Merry Christmas."

I hugged him hard, loving the scent of his cologne. "Merry Christmas to you, too. You can't keep doing this ‘coming home once a year' crap."

"I know," he chuckled. "Things in my life have been so crazy." He released me and slid his arm around Daphne's waist, grinning from me to her and back to me. "Lydia, I want you to meet Daphne."

I was going to extend a hand to her, but she didn't seem enthused to meet me by the fake smile on her face. How did I not see that before? It was clear she felt she was above everyone else around. That was what I was afraid of when I found out Jake was dating a supermodel. Not that every famous person was like that, but I could tell she was high maintenance from how she acted in the interviews I'd watched on TV. It made me wonder what she thought of Jake's family and where he came from. He didn't grow up in a wealthy household like she did. Guess you can say I did my research on her, especially after Jake told me last year that she was already talking about marriage.

"It's nice to meet you," I ended up saying.

Daphne's grin widened and she moved closer to Jake. "Same."

Hailey grabbed Daphne's wrist. "I have to introduce you to the rest of the family, Daph. They're all dying to meet you."

Daphne's smile had a hint of annoyance, and a part of me wanted to laugh. Hailey dragged her away, leaving Jake alone with me. The second Daphne was gone, a sigh escaped his lips. "I need some fresh air. Do you want to go outside?"

That made me laugh. "We seem to find our way out onto the back porch every Christmas Eve."

He winked. "It's tradition. Plus, it's the only quiet place around during the holidays."

I couldn't argue with him there. I didn't have that problem with my family get-togethers. Ours were small, and the loudest people at those parties were me and my sister. I adored Jake and Hailey's family, but they were ear-splittingly boisterous when they all got together. Playing Dirty Santa with them was the best, though. I looked forward to it every year.

"What about Daphne?" I asked, nodding toward the living room where she looked miserable with everyone talking around her.

Jake snorted. "She'll be fine."

I stared at him as if he'd lost his mind. "You sure about that? I get the feeling she doesn't want to be here. I'm afraid she'll try to claw my eyes out if she sees me alone with you." There was no way I would've said that to the real him last year. But again, we were in my dream, and I could say whatever I wanted without repercussions. I could finally tell him exactly what I thought.

His grin faded and he blew out a breath. "Come on, let's go outside."

He led the way, and I shut the door quietly behind us so as not to draw attention. Jake turned to face me, his body leaning against the wooden railing. His eyes didn't have the joy in them like they used to around the holidays.

"What do you think of Daphne?" he asked, his green gaze serious.

When he asked me that question last Christmas Eve, I'd told him I hadn't really spoken to her and that I hoped she made him happy. It was going to feel good to be honest. I should've told him the truth from the beginning.

I stared right into his eyes. "Why do you care what I think? Shouldn't you be asking Hailey or your mother?"

He shook his head and laughed. "No. I think they're a little starstruck with her. I can count on you to be truthful with me."

I felt a twinge in my heart at those words, especially since I wasn't honest with him the last time we spoke. At least, I could be now.

"I haven't actually had a conversation with her, Jake," I said.

He nodded. "I know, but you're good at reading people. Daphne's PR team and mine are really pushing our relationship. I honestly don't know if I'm making decisions based off what I feel or because of what's being put in my head." He blew out a breath and turned his back to me. "I don't know what to do."

"Yes, you do," I answered. I walked over and grabbed his arm to get him to look at me. When he did, I smiled. "You don't need me telling you anything because I think you already know what you should do." I squeezed his arm. "Daphne may be gorgeous and rich, and have a million connections, but will that make you happy?" He shook his head, and I squeezed his arm again. "Honestly, I don't think she's the type of woman you need."

"And what do I need?" he questioned, his eyes searching mine.

My heart started to race, and I released his arm. "Someone who loves you for who you are. Someone genuine and kind. I know she's out there, but it's not Daphne."

A look of disappointment passed across his face; it was only fleeting but I noticed it. I could only assume he wanted to hear me say that Daphne was the one for him. In a way, that disappointed me.

Jake sighed and nodded. "Okay. Maybe one day I'll find that special someone."

"You will. Just like you're going to win a gazillion more golf tournaments." I elbowed him in the side and winked.

His eyes widened. "And that's what I wanted to talk to you about. You were right, Lydia. All those tournaments you said I would win this year, I did. How did you do that?"

"I'm just good like that," I replied, shrugging playfully.

He chuckled and moved closer to me. "What do you predict I'll win this upcoming year?"

I couldn't remember every single one, but it was way more than the previous year. Soon, it'll be that time when he's too busy to even visit for Christmas. I didn't even want to think about that, but it was coming.

"I predict," I began with a smile, "that you'll win at least four more tournaments than you did last year."

Jake tilted his head back with laughter. "Wow. I think you might be a little too optimistic on that one."

"Hey, you still owe me a fancy dinner from predicting this year's winnings. You're going to owe me two if I'm right about this next year."

A heavy sigh escaped his lips. "I'm sorry about that, Lydia. I promise I'll pay my debts."

I waved him off. "I'm not worried about it. I'm just happy you're living your dream."

He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me, enveloping me in his warmth. "I hope you're doing the same."

"I am. It makes me happy helping local artists."

Jake let me go, his green gaze piercing into mine. The patio door slammed open, and I jerked my head to the side to see Daphne standing there, her arms crossed over her chest.

"There you are," she said, her voice clipped and angry. She stared daggers at me and then softened them when she turned back to Jake. "I was hoping you'd come in and join me."

Jake gave me an apologetic stare. "I'll be sure to say goodbye before I leave town."

I nodded and watched him walk inside with Daphne. He never got the chance to say goodbye to me last year. I had a feeling it was because of Daphne. The good thing was that Jake was smart; he'd come to his senses and figure out that Daphne wasn't his match.

A warm breeze started to swirl around me, and the back porch grew fuzzy. The dream was ending, and the sound of a ringing phone was in the midst of it all.