Four days after Thanksgiving, Rhys rolled over to find the bed empty just as he did every morning. Arryn always got up early and went through her usual routine. Threw up, cooked breakfast, and made his lunch. He felt terrible about not keeping his promise of making a baby name list, even though he still had plenty of time. She'd not mentioned it again, but from her body language, no doubt she was pissed. Only a few weeks into the marriage, there was already trouble, and he needed to shoulder the blame for it due to his lack of communication.

But again, what did he expect? The way things started for them didn't exactly pave a road to happily-ever-after. He kept telling himself to get over it, but he wasn't ready to forgive her yet.

Thoughts buzzing, and now fully awake, he grabbed a quick shower and dressed for the day. The already familiar aroma of homemade biscuits drifted down the hall. Damn, she could cook. He'd give her that. He quirked a smile and wondered what shape she'd cut the dough into. Turkeys? Leaves? No telling.

He strolled into the kitchen. "Don't forget, we have the company party this week."

She kept her eyes on the task before her. "Friday night, right?"

"Yeah...." Trying to keep a conversation with her without sounding like a bonehead was harder than he ever anticipated. "You need money for a new dress?"

"No, but thanks."

He snatched a pumpkin-shaped biscuit and stared at it. "This is orange."

"It's just food coloring. It'll taste the same."

"Shit!"

She spared him a glance. "Fine. I won't change them anymore."

He wagged his head. "Not the biscuit. This." He pointed to a button dangling from his shirt. "I've got to change."

She flapped her arm in the air, dismissing the notion. "No need for that. I'll get the sewing kit."

A minute later she returned and pointed to a barstool. "Sit down. You don't even have to take it off."

His heart rate kicked up a notch when she ran the thread across her tongue, then guided it through the needle's eye. Standing between his legs, she slipped one hand inside his shirt, fingers gently touching his chest. With the other, she began to sew, working the sharp point in one hole then the other. He took a deep breath.

She locked eyes with him. "Don't be a baby. I won't stick you."

God, if she only knew how much he wanted to stick her at the moment. What was wrong with him? How could he be so mad and be affected by her all at the same time? "I know you won't."

She was so close, he could feel the heat coming off her skin. Smell the fragrance from her shampoo. Two inches closer, his lips would be pressed against hers. Just as he leaned in a bit, she worked the button into its hole, then patted his chest.

"There you go. All fixed."

She smiled, and those big brown eyes didn't reflect one ounce of guilt, and there should be a lot. Why did she have to look so happy all the time? He walked to the pot, filled his insulated cup, then picked up the pumpkin biscuit. "Thanks. I'll be working late tonight."

He needed time away from her, or he should say— away from their bed. Having her next to him and not touching her was harder than he thought it'd be. Sitting in his truck, it took him a moment to process what had just happened. Those lips. Eyes. Body heat. He ran a hand over his face. Shit. That button action gets to me every time. Cramming a bite of biscuit into his mouth, he started the engine and drove away.

For one fleeting moment, while she sewed the button, Arryn thought Rhys might make a move on her. There'd been a flicker of something in his eyes, but then it disappeared. For the past two weeks, she'd waited for him to present his list of baby names but not gotten so much as an excuse. Aside from furnishing his job security, it was clear he would never allow himself to feel anything for her.

Being in the same bed with him every night was pure torture. She rarely got a good night's sleep, for fear of touching him. It was time to end that. The anxiety couldn't be good for the baby. She went to the garage and brought in the bed rails to her old bed. Forty-five minutes later, she had the frame together. The mattress and box springs leaned against the bedroom wall, so she dragged the box springs over to the structure and eased it over. Once it was in place, she maneuvered the mattress and let it fall on top, then aligned it by shoving one corner at a time.

She finished putting the bed together by the time she was ready to call it a day. She tugged on her leggings and favorite blue sweater, then twisted her hair into a pineapple on top of her head. The weather report mentioned no rain, only colder temps. Perfect for getting in the spirit of the season.

After listening to annoying, repetitive carols for an hour, while filling a basket with her selections in the holiday aisle, she headed to the checkout counter. Minutes later, the stock boy loaded the last of her purchases into the car. "Man, you must really love Christmas," he said.

Rhys' house was so much bigger than her little apartment, she admitted she'd gone overboard, but the space needed a lot to make a statement. Even though she wanted traditional red and green, she chose a theme he'd be comfortable with.

"I noticed a sign inside offering decorating services. How much in advance would I have to schedule that?"

The boy scratched his head. "Since it's early in the season, we have people available today."

Arryn nodded and followed him back inside.

By five o'clock, the tree was up, the ornaments hung, and the lights aglow. She and Yennefer sat back with a hot cup of cocoa and admired the scene. Arryn had spent a small fortune, but it was worth every penny. Since Rhys had bought a new RAV4, she didn't feel guilty for dipping into her savings to create holiday cheer. God knew she needed some.

Splendid was the word that came to mind when describing the ten-foot pre-lit fir tree. Skilled workers had intertwined striped, plaid, iridescent, and glittery ribbons. A mix of gold and copper metallic, along with burlap and feathered balls hung from the boughs, while handsewn forest animals nestled among the branches. Berries, pinecones, and birch sticks poked out in every direction.

"It's the most beautiful tree I've ever seen," she said.

Her friend smiled. "Ditto. Rhysanator mention your birthday?"

"Are you kidding?" She snored. "He doesn't speak unless it's necessary. He doesn't even know when it is."

"He added you to his insurance, right? He had to have it for that."

"He doesn't remember, and that's fine. I expect nothing from him." She stared at the twinkling lights on the mantel. For effect, she'd even tied a large plaid bow around the moose wall mount. He was downright festive in his own dead way.

Her phone dinged, signaling a text. She picked it up, read the message, and looked over at Yennefer. "He's not coming home. He's staying in the city."

Arryn figured it was Rhys' way of avoiding her. For all she knew, he was seeing someone, and why not? Their marriage was a sham to please his parents and secure his job position. His condo in town was a perfect love nest. The vows they took meant nothing to him.

"Well, pack a bag, we're going to my house and tomorrow, we're celebrating your birthday all day long."

She shook her head. "I hate that you're taking so many days off from work for me."

"Don't be. I've got plenty of vacation saved up, and the new girl we hired is doing okay. Besides, if she gets bored, she can check out Rio across the street all day." Yennefer wiggled her brows. "All this festive stuff has me thinking about jingling his bells, checking out his candy cane, icing his Christmas cookies—if you know what I mean."

Arryn snorted. "You are awful." But then she thought about Rhys' candy cane, and heat rose in her cheeks.

"Are you embarrassed? What has pending motherhood done to you? Come on, let's get out of here."

Arryn sighed. Yep, this would be her most memorable holiday. A baby girl on the way. A beautiful house. A husband who didn't want anything to do with her. Ho. Ho. Ho.

It's weird having Christmas-y chapters in August, but what can ya do.

TEASER: The way she smiled up at him caused a fire to burn in Rhys' belly, and he reminded himself she'd be with his friend if she could.

Uh oh, what do you think is going on? Is Arryn moving on?