Page 14 of I Really Can't Stay


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-The most attractive favorite stranger, Axel

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Subject: Holiday SOS

For what?

-Holly

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Message received

Subject: Holiday SOS

To shop for our ugly Christmas sweaters. You are still able to come tomorrow, right? I thought we could meet up in the morning and I’ll buy you a latte and the most hideous sweater in your store of choice.

-The stranger you’ll never be chilly with, Axel

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Subject: Holiday SOS

Hmm. Target is my go-to, but I know Walmart has the more ostentatious sweaters. Let's go to Walmart. What time?

-Holly

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Message received

Subject: Holiday SOS

How does around 11 sound? Should I pick you up, or do you want to meet there?

-Your stranger who’s not going to be a stranger for long, Axel

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Subject: Holiday SOS

11 is great. Let’s meet there. There’s a coffee shop next door. See you tomorrow.

-Holly

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“Wait, what do you mean I have to bake the pie beforehand? I thought it was a pie baking competition?” My eyes widen at Axel thanks to the bomb he just dropped on me.

He’s easily the most carefree person I’ve ever met, and I’ve done nothing but laugh since we grabbed coffee and came to shop forty minutes ago.

“Well, it is, but this year my parents are hosting and didn’t really think the whole baking part through. Their house couldstand to be brought into the 2000s, but it’s still hanging out in 1986. They have one oven, and I’m pretty sure it’s older than me. Needless to say, baking is out of the question.”

“How old are you?” I ask, pulling a tinsel filled sweater off the rack. There’s a reindeer on it, and even some bells. I give it a little shake to see if they actually ring before putting it back where I found it.

“Twenty-eight.”

Freezing with an ugly red and green monstrosity held midair, I give him a pointed look. “Your math ain’t mathin’.”