I swatted his arm. “No, silly. I want a place to live that allows pets.”
“I appreciate what you did back at the restaurant. I’m hoping it doesn’t cause you trouble.”
“I’ll be fine. She kind of deserved it after the way she treated you. But she looked jealous, so if you want her back, I’m thinking you have a solid chance.” I pointed the camera at the carriages carting revelers down the street.
Zach didn’t say anything.
When he tugged at the end of one of my curls, I turned back around. “Yes?”
“I don’t want her back.”
“Oh, good. Because you can do so much better.” I needed to rein in my tongue, but my ability to keep silent up and left. “She clearly didn’t. You’re way better looking than that guy. Maybe he makes her laugh.”
Zach tousled my curls. “Thanks for the ego boost.”
“Anytime. That’s what best friend’s little sisters are for—ego boosts.”
“Like when you’d go nuts in the stands any time my bat connected with the ball, even if I hit a pop fly that got me out before I could make it to first base?” He’d never stop reminding me of my embarrassing past behaviors.
“What are y’all talking about over here? First base?” Eve crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows.
Zach chuckled. “It’s not easy to make it to first base. There’s lots to consider.”
Adam tucked an arm around Eve’s waist and pulled her closer. “True. It’s all about the angle and the timing.”
I threw my hands in the air. “I know when I’m being teased. Y’all have your fun. I’m headed to find hot chocolate.”
Chapter 12
Two days later, I learned that Lisa’s “we’ll talk later” wasn’t an idle phrase.
When the pounding on the door started, Eve put her finger to her lips. “Act like you aren’t home.”
“We don’t even know who it is.”
“Haley.” Eve whispered so quietly, I had to lean close to hear her. “With a knock like that, they are either mad or trying to sell you something.”
I was much too curious to ignore the knock completely. When I dragged the stepstool into place so that I could use the peephole, the screeching sound could be heard two buildings away.
After that, there was no point in acting like I wasn’t home.
I pasted on a smile and pulled the door open a little. “Lisa, hey.” Opening it all the way might be interpreted as inviting her in, and I did not want that.
She crossed her arms. “Can I come in?” Her nostrils did that flaring thing.
“Sure. What’s up?” I stepped inside and turned. “This is—”
Eve had vanished.
“How could you?” Lisa wiped tears off her cheeks.
Playing dumb never worked, but I did it anyway. “What are you talking about?”
“Zach Gallagher.” She inhaled. “How could you date my fiancé?”
I could feel the syndrome taking over. “He’s not your fiancé. You broke it off . . . right outside my door if I remember correctly. Am I wrong?”
“We aren’t together, but I feel like you are taking advantage of him. You went after him when he was heartbroken. I’m only looking out for Zach.” She truly had a warped sense of reality.
I was beginning to think she was less upset about Zach dating and more upset that he was dating me. He wasn’t, but the idea still irritated me. I’d been dreaming of Zach for twenty years, but I’d never been accused of taking advantage of him. That stung.
Arguing with her was pointless. “Is there anything else you need?” I put my hand on the doorknob.
“What are you going to do about it?”
My plan hadn’t really changed. I’d wake up every morning, reminding myself that A) Zach was off-limits and B) he didn’t like me anyway. But I didn’t want to talk about any of that . . . especially not with her.
“Zach is a big boy. He can make his own decisions.” I sighed. This conversation needed a new direction. “But I’m so happy you met someone worthy of you. Liam seemed very nice.”
She clasped her hands near her heart. “He makes me laugh. It was meant to be.”
“Laughter is important.” I was winning the conversation.
“I should warn you. Zach has an odd sense of humor. He’s not very funny.”
Now she was making me mad. I let the syndrome take over. “But he looks great without a shirt.”
She gasped then bolted out of the apartment.
I definitely needed to find a new place to live.
“Not that she didn’t deserve that, but how would you know how Zach looks without a shirt?” Eve walked up the hall.
“You bailed on me.”
“You answered the door. Now answer the question.”
I crinkled my nose. “Would you believe it if I said imagination?”
“Not for a second.”
“When I was at his house, he took off his shirt. And he looks very different than he did in high school.”
“Duh!”
“Things were weird for a little while after Thanksgiving, but now they are sort of like they were before all that. Maybe I shouldn’t have needled Lisa, but I can’t stand it when she runs him down. I can’t stand it when anyone does that.”
Eve nodded. “I completely understand.”
“What are we going to watch tonight?” I picked up the remote. “Holiday Inn, White Christmas, or It’s a Wonderful Life?”
“White Christmas.” She hugged a pillow.
I snuggled under a blanket. “Thanks for coming over. I wasn’t sure how many of our Christmas movies we’d get to watch.”
“Maybe I can talk Adam into watching one or two with us.”
“Fine with me.” I needed to get used to sharing my friend.
With the phone tucked between my ear and shoulder, I hurried out to the car. “I’m almost done. I need a roll of wrapping paper and something for Zach.” I locked the bags in my trunk before climbing into the car. “It’s been a productive day. Still want to meet for dinner?”
“Yeah.” Eve hesitated. “Adam’s working. I thought about popping in to surprise him, but . . .”
“Go surprise him. Call me when you get home.”
“Then I want to know why you are buying Zach a Christmas present.”
I had a valid reason. Spending Christmas at his house and not taking a gift would be rude. “Talk to you later.”
Not telling her now guaranteed she’d call me back.
Calling Hank as I pulled out of the lot, I hoped he’d give me ideas about what to get for Zach. “Hi.”
“What’s up?” Hank sounded chipper.
“I need to pick your brain. All my shopping is done except something for Zach. Any ideas?”
Hank didn’t respond.
“Are you there?” I parked outside a store where I could get wrapping paper, wine, and candy from all over the world.
He cleared his throat. “Why are you getting Zach a gift?”
“You said he was hosting Christmas, right? Did the plans change? I’m always the last to know.”
“What does that have to do with anything?” Hank was acting weird. “The plans haven’t changed.”
“I bought you a present, and since we’ll be at Zach’s house, I thought it might be considerate to get him something too. I’m not going to buy him a car . . . just something small.”
“I have no idea what you should get him.”
I pressed the phone to my ear with my shoulder as I locked my door and buttoned my coat. “What are you getting him?”
“The same thing I always get him—a bottle of tequila and a case of his favorite beer.”
The word favorite triggered a thought. “Thanks, Hank. You’ve been a huge help.”
In the store, I focused on my task. Finding wrapping paper that looked festive but wouldn’t leave glitter all over everything was my objective. And while I was here, I’d get a bottle of wine for my stocking.
Stockings? The
guys hadn’t said anything about stockings, but that would be fun. I picked out two rolls of wrapping paper then moved on to the Christmas décor. With a whole rack of stocking options, I could’ve taken all afternoon to decide. But a group of plaid stockings caught my eye. They only sold them in groups of two, so I bought four. Even Waldo would get a stocking. Each was a different plaid, but all of them had fuzzy tops. I could add a tag with the name, and they’d look great hanging above Zach’s fireplace.
We’d need stocking hangers. Instead of trying to spell out joy or noel, I opted for Christmas trees and snowflakes. My next stop was in the stocking stuffer aisle. Some things could be enjoyed at any age. Kazoos, finger traps, miniature bottles of tequila and vodka—the age thing didn’t apply to the bottled goodies. The alcohol wasn’t in the stocking stuffer aisle, but it should have been.
I picked out a few international candies and a nice Riesling then headed to the checkout counter. If I hurried, I could get Zach’s gift ordered before Eve was done surprising Adam at the fire station.
Chapter 13
Tapping my foot, I checked the app again. The last gift was supposed to arrive today. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve, so I hoped the package wouldn’t get lost in the mail or stolen off Eve’s porch. After provoking Lisa, I stopped having packages shipped to my apartment.
I didn’t think Lisa was a bad person, but jealous women could be unpredictable.
Nacha leaned back in her chair. “Just go. You’re making me crazy.”
“I’ll finish up edits tonight. Are you spending Christmas with your family?”
She sighed. “I’ll stop by my mom’s at some point. I’m not ready for the big family gathering on Christmas Eve. Tamales are great, but a hundred questions about what happened to my marriage isn’t my idea of fun.”
I gave her a hug. “If you need anything call me. I’ve learned to take my own car, so I won’t be trapped.”
When I set the small red gift bag on her desk, she teared up. “And I almost forgot to give you tamales. I tucked them in the freezer.”
“Homemade tamales are the best gift ever. You realize that’s why I’ve continued working with you for so long.”
“I know how to bribe you in the future.” She yanked the paper off the top and lifted out the custom camera strap. “Haley, this is wonderful.” She traced her finger along the pictures.
“I wasn’t sure what to get you, then I remembered your ratty old strap that’s starting to fray.”
She hugged me again. “I love it. Let me grab your gift.”
I peeked inside the bag. “Thank you for these.”
“I tucked a little something else in there, but open it on Christmas morning.”
“Seriously?”
She nodded. “Now go so I can get more work done. Merry Christmas.”
“Same to you.” I hurried out the door, eager to pick up my package.
Eve was waiting on the porch when I pulled up.
“I thought you’d be at work.” I ran to hug her. “Where’s the box?”
She pointed inside. “Aren’t you coming in?”
“I want to go wrap this last thing, then I’ll be back. I promise.”
“We need our chance to celebrate since you made other plans that don’t include me.” She feigned a pout.
I picked up the box and hugged it to my chest. Of all the gifts I’d purchased this year, this was by far my favorite. Zach would love it. I knew he would. And that mattered to me way more than it should.
“You don’t need me around. I’ll be at your house plenty this coming week. We aren’t opening the office, so it’ll be hard to get rid of me.” I inched toward the door. “Let me run home. I’ll be back in an hour.”
“Sounds great.” She glanced outside. “Adam should be here any minute.”
“Have fun!” I buckled the box into the passenger seat. There wasn’t enough time to order another one. Keeping this bowl safe was paramount.
Back at my apartment, loaded down with my camera bag, my laptop bag, and the special gift, I fumbled with my keys.
“Are you ready for Christmas?” Lisa didn’t hit me, so we were off to a good start.
I set my stuff down inside the door. “Almost. Once I’m done, I’ll kick back with a bowl of snackalicious popcorn.”
Her nose crinkled. “I’ve never heard of that. What is it?”
My heart thudded at the revelation. “Just something I had once. Merry Christmas.”
“Same to you.” She stepped away then glanced back. After a half second, she shook her head.
Had Zach made it for her, but she’d forgotten? My heart wanted to believe he’d never shared his favorite recipe with her.
I slammed my door and grabbed the scissors. The popcorn bowl looked exactly like the picture. Perfect.
After stretching tape over the top of the box, I laid out the wrapping paper. My wrapping skills would never earn me a paid gig, but at least he wouldn’t think a five-year-old wrapped it. I added a big red bow and set it under the tree.
I was looking forward to Christmas, probably for all the wrong reasons. But right now, I didn’t care.
If I didn’t know my friend was in love, the mistletoe hanging from every doorframe would’ve given it away.
As Adam and Eve walked out of the dining room, he paused and looked up. “Oh! Mistletoe.” He grinned.
The first few times were funny. After that, it made me lonely in ways I would never share with Eve.
“If y’all will stop kissing, we can open gifts.” I checked tags on the pretty packages under the tree. “Mind if I let the dogs in?”
“I’ll do that.” Adam gave Eve one more quick kiss.
She beamed like a lighthouse on a dark shore. “I’ll be in there in a sec. I need to grab one gift out of the bedroom.” A minute later, she dropped down next to me. “I knew you’d shake packages that were under the tree.”
“Whatever.” I didn’t have to admit that I’d already done that.
“Have you seen him?”
“Hank? Not in a couple of weeks. We’ve talked on the phone once or twice. I think he’s having a hard time.”
Eve shook her head. “I meant Zach.”
“I haven’t seen him since we all looked at Christmas lights.” Going two weeks without seeing Zach felt long.
She handed me the gift. “Open it.”
As she expected, I shook it. “It doesn’t sound breakable. It sounds like a book.”
An eye roll was her only response.
I tore away the paper. Life was too short to carefully peel away tape. She’d had a photo book made. The picture on the cover was from the year we first met. “You made me a book.”
“You’re my best friend. And even though things in my life are changing, that won’t change. Ever.”
“Dang it. You’re going to make me cry.” I handed her a gift bag. “You wouldn’t be getting this gift if Adam didn’t have a key to your house. That’s all I’m going to say before you open it.”
Shoving the colorful tissue aside, she lifted out the handmade ornaments. “Paw prints!”
“Adam’s dogs were pretty cooperative. Pookie was not. I walked away with a few scratches. In general, it isn’t a great idea for cats.”
“I love them.” She jumped up and hung them on the tree. “Thank you.”
I pointed at Adam who was leaning against the wall. “He helped. Some.”
“Only a little.” He laughed.
“Let’s open the rest.” I sat down on the floor as the dogs trotted into the room. “I’m glad we did this. Now it feels like Christmas.”
Chapter 14
Standing at Zach’s front door, I convinced myself to knock. I’d never been nervous about seeing him, but tonight, I was.
My hand was partway to the door when he opened it.
“Why don’t you come in rather than standing out here staring at my front door?” Why did he have to look so good? His red plaid flannel had the sleeves cuffed, showing off his f
orearms, and he had a Santa hat atop his head. “Merry Christmas by the way.”
“Same to you. I didn’t expect you to look so festive.” I set his gift under the tree. “I need to get the rest of the stuff out of my car.”
“I think this will be fun. I appreciate y’all coming over. Have you heard from Hank?”
“Not since this morning.” I handed Zach the bag of stockings. “I’m glad we’re doing this. I think he’s having a hard time without Nacha.”
Zach nodded. “What’s all this stuff?”
What seemed like such a fun idea when I was shopping now made me feel silly, but it was too late to change my mind. He’d already seen inside the bag.
“I bought us each a stocking. There’s even one for Waldo.”
“Please tell me you don’t plan to stuff his with lacy, pretty things because I think he’s given up his cat burglar days.”
Instead of telling Zach that my pair of lacy underwear never made it home with me, I smiled. “Only cat treats and catnip toys. I also bought hangers we can use on the fireplace . . . if that’s okay. I didn’t mean to take over and decorate your house.”
“All your décor will steal the spotlight from my single red candle, but I’ll get over it . . . eventually.” He bumped my shoulder. “Anything you need me to grab?”
“I’ve got the rest.”
“Did you also get stuff to put in the stockings?”
“Of course. And I brought some groceries. I’ll make a breakfast casserole for the morning.”
He set the bags of decorations on the hearth and clustered the bags of groceries in one hand. “Help yourself. Move whatever you want. Holler if you need help.” Leaving behind a whiff of cologne, he wandered back into the kitchen.
After a deep breath, I set to work. The red candle stayed in the center, but I added greenery and the hangers. Within minutes, four stockings hung above a crackling fire. “Come look. What do you think?” I studied the mantle, second guessing my decorating job.
He patted the top of my head. “I think I’m going to have you decorate every Christmas. This looks great. I’m finishing up dinner if you want to keep me company in the kitchen.”
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