Page 101 of The Idiot

“Why? Because he’s so happy?”

Possibly, I surmise to myself, but I realize Murph is right. Screwing with Pete wasn’t even on my radar today.

“No. BecauseIam.”

The misty-eyed look he gives me after I peck him on the cheek tells me he understands he’s the reason why. Apple season is going to be so much more fun next year.

“Merry Christmas, Jesse,” he whispers, threading his fingers through mine.

“Merry Christmas. Best Christmas ever.”

As we wait for the rest of the gifts to be handed out, I take stock of all the love and happiness in the room. It reminds me of the contrast of being miserable not so long ago.

“Hey, I wonder what Philip’s doing for Christmas.”

“From the cruise?” Murph laughs in disbelief.

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. Now that I know what it’s like to be in love, I kind of feel sorry for him. I did win his man, after all.”

Rolling his eyes, Murph starts tearing the paper on my gift. “Well, with any luck, he’s spending it with this guy Tom I meton the first day of the cruise. I saw them together when we were debarking on the last day. They looked… oddly perfect together.”

“Really?”

“Why so hopeful? I didn’t know you were that invested in the guy’s happiness.”

“I’m not, but it’s cool they were happy.” I shrug. “I mean, I’m not saying he deserves to be as happy as us. He did hiss at me after all. And touch you. A lot. Okay, forget I said anything. I hope they break up.”

An arm hooks around my neck and leverages me so I’m in a headlock against Murph’s shoulder. He plants a hard kiss on my forehead.

Why is he laughing? That shit wasn’t funny, even before I knew I wanted him.

“Jesse Carver, don’t ever change.”