She holds my stare, clearly contemplating whether or not to accept. “Noelle—”
I shake my hand. “Nope, we aren’t discussing it. You are literally my Christmas miracle this year. I’m paying.”
Reluctantly, she takes it from my hand. “Do you want anything?”
“I’m okay. Thank you,” I say.
As she opens the door, the wind gives her a hand and flings it open, and it smacks against the pump. She cringes. “Sorry.”
“Kat, it’s okay. It’s just a car door. If it’sthatbad, I’ll just replace it,” I assure her, laughing.
Watching her walk inside, I wonder if I’m too in over my head here. I might have underestimated myself. Being in such close proximity to her, pretending to fall for her, pretending to be attracted to her—none of that is going to be hard at all. Pretending tonotbe those things after Christmas is going to be the real challenge. Having her for the next ten days is going to be the best Christmas present.
I’ve always had a good sense of people, the good and bad. Kat only lights up mygood peopleradar. I know that getting attached to people too quickly has always been a problem of mine. But I also have a hard time viewing it as a problem. So, I’m just going to go with it, enjoy whatever feelings come along. If they only exist from me, then I’ll be the best neighbor Kat has ever had. But if they grow on both ends, well … that will be something else altogether.
My phone rings through the speakers, and I don’t have to check it to know it’s my mom. She’s the only one who calls me this late.
“Hey, Mom,” I say, carefully watching the doors for Kat to walk through.
“Hi, sweetie. Are you and Katy on your way?” she asks in the cheeriest tone.
“Yeah. Katy is just in the gas station right now, getting snacks,” I say, already feeling guilty for lying.
“Oh, perfect. Elle, I am so excited to meet her! I was just telling your dad how happy I am that you are finally bringing someone home to meet us. I was starting to think you might be embarrassed of us,” she jokes.
“Funny, Mom. And who says I’m not?” I mock back, opening my phone to scroll on Instagram while I wait for Kat.
“Hey! Your guys’ room is all ready to go when you arrive. We know you both are probably wanting to settle in tonight. Don’t forget though, we are starting the Ten Days of Christmas tomorrow.” She acts like she has to remind me.
For as long as I can remember, my family has done something we call the Ten Days of Christmas. Basically, every day leading up to Christmas, starting on the fifteenth of December, has an activity that we do as a family. Whether it’s something small, like bingeing all of theSanta Clausemovies to going sledding to touring the Christmas lights, there is something that we check off our list.
Growing up, I made so many memories during this tradition. It wouldn’t feel like Christmas without it.
“Trust me, I could never forget. It’s my favorite part of the season,” I exclaim.
“Oh, thank you, sweetie,” my mom coos.
The passenger door flies open, courtesy of Kat and, again, the wind.
“Oh my gosh, it was so busy in there! I know you said you didn’t want anything, but I got you these.” She smiles shyly as she looks up at me. Once she notices my wide eyes, she freezes. “What?”
I squeeze my eyes shut, just waiting for it.
My mom’s voice echoes through the speakers like a blowhorn. “Is that Katy? Hi, Katy!”
Expecting her to freeze up, I prepare myself to speak for her. But instead, Kat speaks to my mom like they are old friends.
“Hi, Mrs. Evergreen! How have you been lately? I am so very excited to meet you,” she sweetly says, which is like music to my mom’s ears.
“Well, I have been just great. I am looking forward to meeting you too! You two get here safe. We will see you soon! Love you, sweetie!” my mom says before hanging up.
In a state of pride and shock, I accept the Skittles from Kat. “Thank you,sweetie.”
She shuts her door, and I drive off.
“Why are you so bad at that?” She laughs. “That is literally the nickname yourmomhas for you.”
Pouring way too many Skittles into my mouth, I shrug.
