“It is.” He took her hands, threading his fingers through hers. His heart thudded. “I like you. Mostlybecauseof all those things you just listed, not despite them.”
She scrunched her freckled nose. “That seems impossible.”
“Call it a Christmas miracle, then?” He tugged at their joined hands, resting them against his chest. She still hadn’t given him any indication she felt the same way, but…she wasn’t running away. Good sign, right? “I have to admit, it’s getting much harder to hate the holidays lately.”
“Same.” Her voice escaped as a whisper.
Thank goodness. He breathed a sigh of relief.
Holly cast a quick glance up at the concrete ceiling of the entrance’s alcove. “There’s no mistletoe.”
Definitely a good sign. His smile slipped free. “None needed.”
And then, to the resounding, slightly pitchy honk of a French horn, he kissed her.
Me:
Good news. Operation: Jack & Sally has been canceled.
Piper:
You can’t see me but I’m throwing confetti.
We’ve changed it to Operation: Ugly Sweater.
That’s it. I’m catching a flight out there.
Calm down. I’m kidding. No more games. But Nick and I are together—for real.
Really? It’s about time.
What do you mean??
It was sort of obvious, and I’m not even there.
Me:
Ugh. Is there anything you DON’T know?
Piper:
The solution to the Riemann hypothesis.
I don’t even know what that is.
It’s a really hard math problem. Never mind, this is about you.
This might actually be the best Christmas ever.
I’m happy for you…though you do see that you’re still putting pressure on Christmas that it doesn’t deserve?
Don’t worry. I realize Christmas isn’t actually about me.
Do you?
That’s it. I’m returning your gift.
Aww, you actually bought me something this year?
