Damn, he said, rubbing his forehead. I forgot my presents. He pressed his finger to her lips before she could begin another song. Stay right here.
I thought we werent going to open them until tomorrow morning, she said.
If it will get you to stop singing that ridiculous song, then you can open them tonight. He walked over to the front door, where theyd piled all their belongings to get them out of the rain. Bending down, Trey grabbed his bag then returned to the center of the room. He sat down on the floor, pulling her down with him, then handed her three small packages. They looked rather festive, wrapped in yellow legal paper and tied with palm fronds.
Damn, he said, rubbing his forehead. I forgot my presents. He pressed his finger to her lips before she could begin another song. Stay right here.
I thought we werent going to open them until tomorrow morning, she said.
If it will get you to stop singing that ridiculous song, then you can open them tonight. He walked over to the front door, where theyd piled all their belongings to get them out of the rain. Bending down, Trey grabbed his bag then returned to the center of the room. He sat down on the floor, pulling her down with him, then handed her three small packages. They looked rather festive, wrapped in yellow legal paper and tied with palm fronds.
Where did you get presents? she said.
Didnt I tell you? Theres a Bloomingdales on the other side of the island. You can take the subway right to the front door.
What is Bloomingdales?
He nodded. A department store? In New York City? At Christmas, they have the most wonderful window decorations. Someday, maybe well go there and see them together. He pointed to the smallest package. Go ahead. Open that one first.
The thought of them spending Christmas together in New York was almost enough to make up for the pathetic trove of gifts hed managed to find. He wanted to show Sophie the world, all the wonderful things she hadnt yet seen. And then he wanted to show her all those that she had, so they might experience them together.
Pretty wrapping paper, she said as she tore open the first package. Inside, she found a chocolate bar. A gasp slipped from her lips and she seemed genuinely surprised. Where did you get this? Oh, this is wonderful.
It was in my bag. But it had your name on it. Hed given expensive jewelry to women and never gotten such an enthusiastic reaction.
Sophie wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, lingering over his lips for a long time. Thank you. Well have it for dessert.
Trey handed her the next package. And whats this? she asked.
Thats actually yours already, he said. I figured, at least youd like it.
She pulled away the paper to discover a bottle of nail polish that had been sitting at the bottom of her purse for the past few months.
It fell out of your purse when you pulled out the monoi. If we run out of things to do, I can paint your toes. I was really good at art when I was a kid.
Id like that, she said with a laugh. What a nice present. Sophie held up the last package. Maybe I should save this for tomorrow morning.
Open it now, he said.
Trey had thought long and hard about this gift, but in the end decided to give it to her anyway. After all, at this point, he had nothing to lose. She glanced up at him as she ran her fingertip over the plastic card.
Its my frequent-flyer card, he said. I have a lot of miles. I thought you could decide where you wanted to go andjust go. Ill get you a ticket. Paris, London. Wherever you want. He paused, then reached out and took her hand. We could meet. I could show you the sights. We could drive up to Malibu or shop at Bloomingdales or visit the Eiffel Tower.
She stared down at the card and Trey said a silent prayer. If she accepted, then he knew there would be a time for them off this island-a chance at just a few days, maybe a week together in the real world.
Thank you, she murmured, her voice soft and filled with emotion. Its a wonderful gift. Sophie glanced up, tears glistening in her eyes. Im sorry, I dont have anything for you.
He shrugged, surprised by her sudden emotion. Thats all right. It was just something silly to do.
But it was nice, Sophie said. It was a very nice thing to do. It feels like Christmas now.
All right, continue with the song, he said, hoping to cheer her mood again. I believe you had stopped at five golden rings.
I dont feel like singing. She slowly got to her feet and walked to one of the windows, peering through the shutters at the storm outside. This isnt how I expected to spend Christmas Eve. She glanced back at him, forcing a smile.
You miss your father?
Yes. But thats not it. The past few Christmases, my father and I would open gifts and then hed drink too much and fall asleep in his chair. And Id sit there and wonder if there was anyone else in the world quite as lonely as I was. She sniffled, brushing away her tears with the back of her hand. Then a smile broke through. But Im not lonely now. This is the best Christmas Ive had in a long time.
The truth was, Trey didnt want to be anywhere but here, with Sophie. And try as he might, he couldnt feel guilty for finding some kind of pleasure in this time marooned on the island.
Trey got to his feet and joined her at the window. Everything is going to be all right, Sophie. I promise. It was the only thing he could think to say that might stop her tears. And yet Trey knew it was the truth. He would make everything right for her. And shed never have another lonely Christmas again. Not if he had anything to say about it.
Sophie wrapped her arms around his waist and nuzzled her face into his chest. Running his hand over her hair, Trey kissed the top of her head. It was so easy to lose himself in the feel of her body touching his. But every kiss, every embrace was filled with more meaning and more intensity.
He drew back and wiped her cheeks with his thumbs. Dont cry. He wrapped his arm around her waist, then took her hand in his. Come on. Theres a band playing. Lets dance. Slowly, he began to move, gliding her around the floor as he hummed White Christmas.
Sophie was reluctant to participate at first, but then he picked up the tempo and pulled her into a swing dance to Jingle Bell Rock. Trey didnt know half the words and hummed almost everything but the chorus. And before long, they were laughing again.
He didnt like to see Sophie sad. When she hurt, he felt almost frantic to soothe her. But then he realized it was all right to let her cry, or yell or pout if she wanted to. Shed held her emotions in for so long that letting them out was a good thing. If she could feel passionately enough to get angry at him or to weep in front of him, then she could feel passionately enough to love him.
Look out, he warned. Dip coming up. Holding tight to her waist, he leaned Sophie back, then yanked her up again. Before long, they were moving easily around the floor, their steps strangely in sync with each other. Were not too bad, are we?
Youre a good dancer, she said.
My mother made me take dancing lessons when I was a kid. She said someday Id appreciate knowing how. Shes right. He glanced down at her, then dropped a kiss on her lips. Feeling better?
She rested her head on his shoulder as he moved her slowly around the room, this time singing Silent Night. I wish Id known you when you were a little boy, she murmured. I wish Id known you when you were a young man.
You wouldnt have liked me very much, he said.
Why not?
They continued to dance in silence, Trey wondering how much he ought to tell her about his life before Suaneva. I suppose youll find out anyway, once we get off this island.
It cant be that bad.
Its not good. I have a bit of a reputation around town. Actually, around the world. Some journalists have called me a wastrel. Others, a playboy. A boy toy. A himbo.
A himbo?
The male equivalent of a bimbo, Trey explained. All looks, no brains. I dont think I deserved that label, but then, the press is never really interested in the truth.
I dont understand. Why would they call you that?
He opened his mouth, ready to change the subject. But then, Trey decided to tell her everything. He wanted to be honest with her, to let her know that hed left that life behind. Because thats what I am, Sophie, he said. Im famous for spending money. And for being with famous women. You said that once they realized I was missing, theyd call my parents. In twenty-four hours, the whole world is going to know that you and I spent the night on this island. Theyre going to want to talk to you and take your picture and get all the salacious details.
Why would they be interested in me? Sophie asked, staring up at him in disbelief.
Because you were with me. Trey grabbed her arms and set her back from him, so he could look into her eyes. Dont believe anything they tell you, Sophie. What happened here was real. What goes on everywhere else isnt. Promise me you wont listen to any of it.
But I-
Promise! he demanded, a desperate edge to his voice.
All right, she murmured. I promise.
He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her gently. Good. As long as I know you believe in me, then everything will be all right.
There was an apprehension in her expression that frightened him. How could he protect her from that? Public opinion had never been on his side. But Sophie had lived so far from what went on in the rest of the world. Maybe it wouldnt make a difference.
Hed face that problem when it came. For now, he had an entire night to convince her he wasnt the man the rest of the world believed him to be. Instead, hed be the man she wanted him to be.
SOPHIE SNUGGLED INTO THE CURVE of Treys arm. They sat on the top step of the porch, staring out at the lagoon in the night. The squall had passed, the rain had stopped and every now and then, the moon would peek out from behind a cloud.
It was late, probably well after midnight. Treys fire had been doused long ago, but there was no need for it now. In six hours, the sun would come up and a new day would begin. She took a deep breath of the damp night air, a cool breeze blowing in from the ocean. She was afraid to go to sleep, afraid that when she woke up, everything would have changed.