Page 193 of How My Neighbour Stole Christmas
the two happy humpers kept things very discreet.
They’d text, they’d call, they’d send naughty pics,
all the while growing a bond through this season of sticks.
And now that the last Kringle contest is finally here,
I’m not so sure it will end with a happy new year.
For someone is lurking, ready for the truth to come clean,
through the cheery Christmas decor, the bright red, white, and green.
“How do my earrings look?”I ask Taran, showing off the Christmas tree earrings that I bought at the stalls when I was with Cole. Well…that he bought for me.
“Festive,” she says as she glances around the gymnasium, taking in the setup.
Like every other competition—at least the non-performanceones—stations have been set up for each contestant. We are allowed to bring in judge-approved supplies, and then like in the showChopped, there’s a “pantry” full of supplies like wrapping paper, string, tape, fabric, baubles, and trinkets. There are sewing machines and a Cricut machine, and irons and ironing boards. Everything we might need to get crafty.
And since this is the last competition of the Kringle contest, the gymnasium is decorated in a winter wonderland theme, dripping with lights, banners, fake trees, and wreaths. It looks breathtaking in here.
“Can you take note of the rugs they have spread throughout the floor? Those are tripping hazards, and we don’t need you to fall flat on your face,” Taran says.
“I saw them,” I tell her.
“And remember what we practiced with the wrapping paper. Hide the seams as best you can.”
“Yes, of course,” I say.
“And the stocking, don’t sew too close to the edge or you’re going to fray the edge and lose the proper stitching.”
“I know, Taran,” I say, annoyed because this is how she’s been for the entire freaking day leading up to the competition.
“Don’t get snippy. I’m trying to help,” she says.
“Yes, but you’ve said the same thing over and over all day. At this point, I can stitch the damn stocking with my eyes closed.”
“Please don’t do that.”
“I wouldn’t,” I reply just as I see Cole walk through the door with Atlas.
They’re decked out in ugly Christmas sweaters, jeans, and boots. They have their sleeves rolled up, and even though the sweaters are ridiculous, they make them look so good.
Especially Cole, since his has a giant reindeer with a red ball for a nose. How fitting. When he spots me over by Taran, he grins, and then I catch his eyes wandering over my outfit. A red velvet dress with green stockings and black booties. I tied my hair back into a tight bun on thetop of my head so it’s out of my face while I work, and I stuck some holly into the bun for added flair.
When his eyes meet mine, he wets his lips, and I feel my entire body heat.
The competition is almost over. It’s Christmas Eve eve, so tomorrow the lights will be judged, and on Christmas Day, the winner will be announced. After that, Cole and I are coming clean to my family, and then we’re going to figure out where to go from there. I know Taran’s itching to get back home, but I am more than willing to stay longer. I don’t have to start work back up until after the new year, which means I could spend the whole holiday week with Cole, and I could even stay in his house at night and help out Aunt Cindy during the day. It will be perfect.
Just a few more days.
A few more days to see how long-term this thing between us could possibly be, because yeah, that’s where my head is at, but I can’t know exactly how long until I get a better read on Cole after the holidays.
“What are you looking at?” Taran says, startling me right out of my reverie.
“The, uh, the flocked trees,” I say. “Not sure why anyone would want to deal with that mess. Sure, they’re pretty, but just think about that white stuff all over the house.”
She glances over at said trees and then back at me. “A nightmare if you ask me.”
