“Am I?” She catches the pillow dramatically, holding it like a prize. “Or am I the best at telling you what you need to hear? Don’t forget that when you two kiss and make up. And maybe don’tgloattoo much about making him beg.”
I roll my eyes and smile. For the first time in what feels like forever, I’m able to catch my breath.
“So?” I glance up at her. “Are you gonna help me out with this puzzle or what?”
Serena frowns, eyeing the puzzle pieces laid out. “Alli, you know I’m bad at these.”
“You are notthatbad.” I tease, tapping my chin like I’m thinking it over. “Myabuelitacan do this in an hour.”
Serena drops her shoulders and rolls her eyes. “Oh, lovely. Good to know Grandma Castillo can finish it faster than me.”
“Come on, Ser. It’ll be fun!”
She crosses her arms over her chest and pouts dramatically. “Ugh, I love you way too much.”
“I know, and I’m grateful for you, always.” I wink at her, resting my hand on her shoulder.
She glances at me with a mischievous grin, tilting her head slightly. “Grateful enough to take me to thefruteríafor apiña colada?”
I roll my eyes, laughing. “Of course, I’ll even drive.”
Serena’s face lights up, her lips curling into a grin. “You’re letting me be a passenger princess? I really do love you.”
Chapter 44
Jared
Things with Alli are going good. Too good. Amazing.
We’ve been texting and calling. Those small, random things that leave me smiling without even realizing it. Like the picture she sent me of her dog, Coco, tangled in Christmas lights. Or the way she teased me about not knowing the difference between garland and tinsel. Stupid stuff that somehow makes me feel… light.
But there’s a voice in the back of my head, the one I’ve been hearing for years, whispering that nothing good lasts long. The voice that made me hesitate to let anyone close, to let them see the mess that is my life.
I sink deeper into the couch, zoning out to some football highlights, staring at the glittering Christmas tree Serena insisted on setting up. The house is empty since my parents took the twins to see Santa, and Serena went to Tyler’s house for Christmas Eve. So, I’m alone with my thoughts, which isn’t usually a good thing.
I’m aimlessly scrolling through my phone when the doorbell rings.
I frown, pushing myself off the couch. When I open the door, it’s Alli in a heavy coat, scarf, and a small gift bag in her hand.
“Alli?” I ask, blinking, momentarily thrown off.
“Merry Christmas Eve!” Alli says, her smile bright, still slightly unsure. She steps into my space and pulls me into ahug—a little too quickly, a little too familiar. I stand still, not knowing whether I should pull away or lean in.
I take a half-step back, breaking the contact. “What are you doing here?”
“Dropping something off.” She shrugs, holding up the bag. “Thought you could use some holiday cheer.”
I lean against the doorframe as she walks past me into the living room. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“I know,” she says, setting the gift bag on the coffee table. Her eyes sweep the room, fixated on the sparse decorations. “Cute tree,” she adds with a teasing smile.
“Thanks, I worked really hard on it.” I reply, smirking.
She lets out a constrained laugh as she unwinds her scarf and drapes it over the back of a chair. “With a little help from Serena, huh?”
“She’s got an eye for details.”
Her gaze softens just a touch when our eyes meet again. “She asked me to check in with you,” she admits, a hint of shyness in her voice.
