Page 52 of A Love Like Christmas Time
“Only vacant space behind those eyes.” I lean over and press a kiss to the orange cat’s head. “Good thing you’re adorable.”
“Right?” Nic agrees and giggles. “I mean, how can you be mad at that face?” Her nose scrunches up with her smile. “I certainly can’t.”
“Same.” Taytay has had enough of human interaction and jumps off my lap. When Jenna sees that she’s about to call dibs on the box, she hurries after her. “Now, back to business. Are we getting drunk and watching a Hallmark movie or what?”
“Of course, we are.” She grins and reaches for my remote. “Bring it on.”
I jump up and hurry to my kitchen to mix our cocktails together. Though cocktail is a generous word. It’s apple juice, mixed with amaretto and a tiny pump of cinnamon syrup.
“And while we pretend to watch it, you can tell me more about you and Caleb.” She accepts her glass with twinkling eyes and takes a sip. “Oh wow, that isgood!”
“Right?” I have a little sip too. It’s cozy afternoons on my tongue. All apple crumble, with a hint of marzipan and the nice warmth that alcohol brings.
From the corner of her eye, I watch Nic blink at me with wide, puppy eyes, her whole body turned to me. I bite my lip, keeping my eyes forward as the Netflix logo forms on the screen.
“So? What’s been going on?”
“There’s some personal stuff happening that I don’t think Caleb would appreciate me sharing,” I say diplomatically and drink some more.
“Okay.” Nic nods and turns to the TV, pouting. “That’s alright. Not disappointing at all.”
We do this thing where we both pretend to watch the TV to decide which movie to see, but are actually watching each other from the corners of our eyes.
“We hugged,” I finally admit, turning to her. Immediately, she stops the movie, pulls her legs onto the couch and does the same.
“Was it a cute little hello hug, or like ahughug?” she asks, and her question makes the corners of my mouth twitch.
“Ahughug,” I clarify, heat rushing to my cheeks.
“Okay.” She nods, a satisfied grin stretching her lips. “I can work with that.” She narrows her eyes. “Is he a good hugger?”
“The best.” I grin. “But remember how I told you about that tarot card reading Amanda gave me?” She nods.
“I do. You were supposed to be patient or something, right?” We look at each other for a moment before simultaneously bursting into laughter.
“That’s going to be a challenge for you, isn’t it?”
“Considering this is me we’re talking about, I think I am being kind of patient?” I hide a grin behind my glass. “I hate to say it, but Amanda was right. This-” I make a vague gesture. “does require patience. But when it comes to him, it comes to me surprisingly easy.”
Nic stares at me dreamily. “Then continue doing it.” She reaches for my hand. “You two are cute together. I mean, he lets you get away with your gingerbread syrup. Your banter brings him out of his shell. It’s a match made in heaven.”
“You have to say that. You’re my best friend.” I wave her off.
But she shoots me a pointed glare. “Hell yes, I’m your best friend. That means I have to be honest,” she points out, gesturing around with her hand holding the glass. “And it is my honest opinion that you two are cute together. He let you hold his hand, for crying out loud.”
The blood drains from my face, and my heart beats into my throat.
“You saw that?”
Her eyebrows furrow together, confused. “We weren’t supposed to? That was really fucking obvious, Lauren. We were sitting right next to you.”
“Fuck.” I let out a deep sigh and rub my hand over my forehead. “I don’t think whatever is happening between us is ready for the ‘getting teased by Kieran’ stage yet.”
“Oh, please.” Nic chuckles and rolls her eyes. “Kieran has about the same attention span as his dog. You’re okay.”
“Anyway…” I take the remote and reverse to the opening of the movie. “How is your search for interior design courses going?” After doing all the interior designing for her new home, it awakened a new passion in her.
Sometimes I get jealous. I wish I had something that clicked with me. That opens a path for my future, so I can stop floundering about worse than a fish on dry land.
