Trish woke on Christmas morning feeling refreshed. The night before she had felt down because she couldn't hold Mick's attention for one night. Obviously, Candy had physical features that would turn any man's head. It was stupid because she had only offered him friendship. If he came on to her, would she have given in? That was a question she couldn't answer.

Having been rejected by the man she loved left a ragged scar closed with an intern's inexperienced sutures, not the tight even stitches she could do in her sleep. She wasn't stupid and knew her career ruined her marriage, but the man, who pledge to love her forever in front of their friends, family, and God, didn't have the decency to end things before he started fucking around.

She thought of Candy who was obviously divorced. There was no way she could compete with the big-breasted woman, so Trish's plan was to stay clear of Mick, glad he was leaving the following day.

Hungry, she stepped out into the warm air wearing a sundress. The restaurant was bustling with excited children. She still couldn't understand how their gifts arrived on the island undetected. After going through the buffet line, she found an empty table off to the side. Her first cup of coffee sent caffeine into her bloodstream, waking her.

When she looked up, a familiar figure lumbered over to her. Her first thought was the man was gorgeous, but then she remembered Candy. Mick put his hand on the back of the chair across from her. "May I?"

So much for avoiding him. She nodded. "How was your night, Uncle Mick?"

He frowned. "Do you really want to know?"

She hid behind her coffee cup. "I think you told me."

He sighed. "I'm not proud, but what the hell, she offered."

Trish looked into his beautiful eyes and saw something she couldn't define. "I get it. I really do. Good for you for enjoying your vacation."

He sighed as if her absolution meant something to him. "I'm a good guy."

She laughed. "Who said you weren't? I hope you were careful."

She wasn't thinking of Joey, but her friend Max who should have known better. Her gut told her Joey's wife got pregnant to trap him. Their marriage wasn't a clean break. They had moments when she believed she could save her marriage and have a career. Unfortunately, the reason still made her reality hard to face. She couldn't stay married to a man who not only cheated, but was in a relationship with the other woman. What Mick and Candy did was just sex, but not Joey and his bitch.

Mick chuckled. "I'm not stupid."

"Sorry. I didn't mean it that way. You're both single, right?"

"She talked about her bastard ex."

Trish almost joked that it was something she and Candy had in common, but she didn't want to open the door to her story. Mick would shove his foot in the door so it wouldn't close. Instead, she lifted her orange juice glass and said, "Feliz Navidad."

Mick responded, "Feliz Navidad." In Spanish, he asked her what she wanted to do to celebrate.

They conversed in the beautiful language of the country. As they made plans to snorkel, they switched back to English. Trish confessed she had never snorkeled. She also didn't know the Spanish word for the activity.

They lingered over a second cup of coffee when Candy appeared. Trish saw the blush on Mick's face as she put her hand on his shoulder. "Come join us for breakfast."

He smiled. "I ate. We were making plans for the day. Christmas should be spent with family."

She looked from Trish to Mick. "Where's the rest of your family?"

"Trish flew in so I wouldn't have to spend the holiday alone."

Candy looked from one to another and frowned. As soon as she stepped away, Mick said, "How do you stay so radiant and youthful looking?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. It's not from a lot of sleep, because I never get enough. I guess it's genetics."

He laughed. "Your mother must look thirty."

"Not quite."

"My parents had me in their thirties."

She laughed. "Looks like you'll be following in your father's footsteps if you have kids." She teased him, but he frowned. "Did I say something wrong?"

"No. My father's priority is working."

She smiled. "Okay, so when are we snorkeling?"

"I need to make a few phone calls first."

She nodded. "I should call home too."

Mick smiled. "I'm calling my best friends."

Trish didn't have a best friend to call. She could text Max, but he had his family. Her grueling schedule hadn't allowed her to make friends. Everyone she knew worked as hard as she did. When she finished training, she would have to focus on finding a life.

They stood and Trish smiled as Mick led her the opposite way from where his date was sitting.

"Did you make plans with her for tonight?"

He shook his head. "No, but I expect her to find me."

"Will you?" She put her hand out. "None of my business."

He laughed. "I don't know. What does it matter if I do? Or don't? I'm leaving tomorrow and I didn't offer to show her the city."

Trish blushed. "I'm this way. What time should we meet up?"

"Eleven. We'll snorkel and then have a late lunch."

"Sounds good. The beach at eleven?"

"It's a plan." Mick smiled.

She walked towards her room and kept thinking it didn't feel like Christmas. When she dialed her home number, Jason answered. "Hey, is it warm and sunny?"

Trish chuckled. "It is, but it doesn't feel like Christmas."

"Your presents are under the tree. Mom said you have to come home for them."

She groaned. "I might not have time off in months." A day here and there wasn't long enough to make the trip home.

"She doesn't understand why you went away alone."

"Just support me, please. What are you doing later?"

"Hanging out with Joey's family."

"No way!"

"No, I'm teasing you."

Trish wanted to cry. "That's not funny. I swear she mentions Peggy every time we talk." Her mother and ex mother-in-law were friends.

Jason laughed. "No way your name doesn't come up." She heard talking in the background. "Diana and her gang just walked in. Dad, say hi to Trisha."

"How's the doctor?"

"I'm fine, Dad. Merry Christmas."

"Trisha's on the phone let me talk to her." Her mother's voice grew louder. "Hi darling. Merry Christmas. What are you doing today?"

"I'm gonna try snorkeling with a friend I met yesterday."

"Be careful."

"Mom, I'm a careful person."

Her career didn't allow for her to be reckless. She was a strong swimmer and would protect her hands.

"Call later, please."

She promised and hung up feeling worse. A part of her wished she could enjoy the day with her family, but the thought of being reminded of all she lost made her glad to be on a different continent.

Mick was waiting for her and smiled. "Are you ready for this?"

"I can swim but I've never used a snorkel."

"It's easy."

"What about sharks?"

He frowned. "There better not be any."

"Are you scared?" she laughed.

"Ah, yeah. Aren't you?"

They were laughing as they approached the snorkel hut where the resort had the equipment.

"Are there any sharks?" She blurted.

The man behind the counter shook his head. "No. You are safe."

Mick smiled at her. "Your mother will be glad you won't be maimed."

"On Christmas."

Through the years, she had been involved with some awful tragedies, but they always seemed worse over the holidays. She accepted her job would often pair the bad with the good. A death led to the life saving gift of an organ.

Without thinking, she turned to Mick. "Are you an organ donor?"

He wrinkled his brow. "We've just determined we won't die, but yes."

"It's a good question to help determine a person's character."

"I'll remember that." He chuckled.

She listened intently through the instructions reminding herself she was a highly trained surgeon, she could keep a snorkel out of water while she swam. Olivia was an expert swimmer, but Trish had grown up swimming at the lake and in neighbors' pools.

It was remarkably easy swimming and seeing the beautiful fish. Mick held her hand, so they stayed together. It had been a long time since a man looked out for her. Pushing away her past, she focused on the beautiful sights. A part of her would miss Mick, he had made her vacation.

Later they sat at dinner together. When they toasted Feliz Navidad, she smiled.

"What?" he asked.

"Thanks for a great day. The holidays alone would have been harder than I was prepared for."

"I know. I would have felt resentful that I couldn't get home."

She smiled. "But you had Candy."

He was cute when he blushed. "I feel like a heel. Enjoying your company and hooking up with her."

"I'll beg off tonight so you can have another date."

"I wish you wouldn't. Watch the fireworks with me." It was the resort's way of celebrating the holiday. She nodded, not wanting to be alone. "They'll have them again next week."

She smiled. "New Year's Eve."

"What are you doing to ring in the new year?"

"I'll be working. It's a busy night." She would be available as a regular surgeon if there were no transplants. Sitting watching the sunset over the sea, the hospital seemed a million miles away. She turned towards him. "Let's have breakfast tomorrow. When is your boat?"

"Before noon. The offer still stands if you get bored." He paused briefly. "We could exchange numbers."

She shook her head. "It's best if we don't. Our friendship was perfect here. We'd dilute it by being Facebook friends."

He laughed. "I'm not on Facebook."

"You know what I mean though."

He nodded. "Yeah, I do. You don't want me taking a job in your town. It's better I don't know where you live."

She felt the loss of her friend when she had so few. "Tomorrow we say goodbye."

Their leisurely dinner ended in time for the fireworks. When they sat on the beach. Mick took her hand in his. Once again, she realized how much she longed for affection.

The sky lit up with brilliant colors and people oohed and aahed around them. Trish couldn't remember the last time she saw fireworks. She was probably still in med school. Mick's hand brought her back to the present. After the sky lit up with the thunderous finale, Mick squeezed her hand.

She involuntarily yawned, and he said, "I'll walk you to your room."

At her door, he hugged her and whispered, "Feliz Navidad. Gracias."

He let go, and she said, "Breakfast."

He nodded and turned to disappear into the night. They should take a selfie so she would have an image to go with her memory.

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