Page 89 of A Love Like Christmas Time
Her eyes dart over my face, searching for answers. She seems to find them, and her hardened features finally pull into a smile.
“Good,” she says, satisfied, with a slight nod. “I’ll keep it short, then. Don’t fuck it up, or I’ll make your life hell.”
“Likewise,” I tell her. My eyes dart to Henry. Not that I think she’s going to break his heart, but she is dating my best friend, after all. Turnabout is fair play.
“Deal.”
“Oh hey, it’s a party!”
Nic whirls around at the sound of Lauren’s voice, and I follow her gaze. She’s wearing her red Christmas coat again, with her blonde hair tied back in a loose ponytail, and her cheeks red from the cold.
They greet each other with a hug, then Nic makes her way to Kieran and Henry. Lauren rounds the counter, coming to a stop in front of me and lifting herself on her tiptoes for a kiss.
“Oh, come on!” Kieran shouts from the other end of the room. “Way to rub salt in the wound.”
“What’s going on?” Lauren whispers against my lips, eyebrows scrunched together in confusion.
“He saw the little mark you left on me.”
Her eyes widen. “What?” She takes a step back, blushing when she sees the hickey. “Caleb! Why aren’t you wearing a scarf? Or a turtleneck? At least pull up your collar!” She reachesfor the collar of my shirt, trying to position it perfectly to hide the hickey.
“Why would I do that?” I close my fingers around her wrists and pull them away, pressing a kiss into her palm. “Wasn’t it your intention for people to see it?”
“Well, in the heat of the moment, yes,” she hisses. “But —”
“Lauren, get your ass over here!” Kieran shouts. I let go of her wrists. She shoots me one more deathly glare, though softened by the adorable redness in her cheeks, before she saunters over to them.
“I’ve never been more painfully aware of how single I am,” Kieran whines with a sigh, wiping away an imaginary tear.
“You’ll get used to it,” Nic says dryly. Kieran sticks out his tongue at her, and Lauren bursts into a giggle.
I bring over their coffees, then disappear into the back to pull the next tray of gingerbread out of the oven, setting it on my work table to cool. Then I grab a bunch of muffins and my own coffee before making my way back to their spot.
Lauren has already pulled up a chair for me, and Kieran and Henry appear to be in a heated discussion about the logistics of clearing the roads.
“Anyway, what are you all doing for Christmas?” Nic finally asks.
“Nothing yet,” Lauren says, glancing at me.
“My parents have always wanted to experience Christmas in Australia,” Henry explains with an amused smile, “so I’ve got nothing planned.”
“Me too,” Kieran says with a nod.
“Me three,” I add.
One after another, we nod, eyes darting around our group to watch everyone else’s answer.
“Good. Then you’re all invited,” Nic declares solemnly. “No presents. Lauren and I will do the cooking, and Henry, Kieran,and Caleb will be responsible for dessert. Does that sound okay for everyone?”
Affirmative mumbles fill the room, and Lauren’s hand finds mine under the table.
Is this what the rest of my life could be like? Spending holidays with friends instead of holed up at my place alone, or finding a way to dodge Henry’s parents’ invitations since I feel out of place in their family bubble.
I glance at Lauren. Because that would be incredible.
Chapter 34
Caleb
