Chapter 28

Eliana POV

Laryssa wiped the tears from her wet cheeks with the fluffy blanket, leaving streaks of her makeup on the once snow white fabric. She looked utterly miserable and totally pathetic. I felt as if she resembled a beaten puppy, flinching with every move I made.

“How can I help you?” I asked, kicking myself into full-blown waitress mode.

There had been many times - usually late in the evenings - when customers would mosey in through the restaurant doors and pour their bleeding hearts out all over the dining tables. I guess I had enough practice - a little bit more and I’d be forced to study psychology.

Laryssa looked over to the empty deck chair and I took the hint, taking a seat beside her.

“You must think I’m such a silly woman,” she hiccuped, wrapping the blanket even closer around her shoulders. “Georgio had told me how much Cassie loves Christmas, so I thought I would be able to get some points with her by dressing all Christmas-sy. I didn’t realise just how short this