“Sure. But I think I’d like to just stay here for Christmas. Just us. Drink, open presents, just hang out. What do you think?”
I licked my lips as I thought that over, thinking that it sounded far more fun than anything we had done in the past. And it didn’t hurt for us to have some bonding time.
“I think that’s a great idea Kelly. We can order some Chinese or something and just spend the day in our jammies. I like your thinking. Were you scared to offer it or what?”
“Not scared. Just know you, Josh. You like traditions, and there’s nothing wrong with it, so I didn’t know how’d you feel. Especially given that your family does everything Christmas Eve.”
I wrapped my arm around her, giving her a side hug.
“You know me better than that, Kelly. We’ve been best friends far too long for you to question those types of things. Now, if you’re done second guessing yourself and our friendship here, can we finish decorating our house? We need our tree up so I can start putting presents under it.”
She rolled her eyes, but I could only laugh.
“I cannot believe you’re already done shopping.”
“Not done,” I told her, “just more than halfway there. I have a few things left I want to get.”
“Did you already get me something?”
She plugged in the string of lights, making sure they worked and then grabbed another.
“If I got you something, do you think I’d tell you?”
“Yes. Because I’m your best friend.”
“There is no denying that, however, the last time I told you that I did, my room was ransacked because you were trying to find it and couldn’t. I swore that day I’d never tell you if I ever got you something or not.”
“I would not do it again,” she muttered, setting the strands aside; one pile for the tree, the other to go outside. “Are we making the tree colored this year, or white again?”
“Let’s give it some color. We got all those new ornaments last year.”
“Oh, that’s right!” She jumped up, running over to the bin that held our stuff for the Christmas tree and pulled out the new package. “I still like these and think they will look beautiful.”
I leaned back on my hands, taking in her black leggings, and black tank top, the tattoos evident, as are the piercings. She was as bad as they could come, and yet, her favorite holiday was Christmas. She loved the feeling in the air and the giving spirit that everyone had. It’s the one time, she claimed, that people actually cared.
“I think we should get some Italian tonight and watch whatever is on Hallmark, what do you think?” I asked.
She turned around so fast, a smile on her face, and I couldn’t help but think of the image she showed the world compared to what she showed me. Like that. She was a bad ass with a romantic heart who always swooned at the sick love and romance in those movies.
“You don’t know what you’re saying,” she told me and I grinned, because I did.
But I wouldn’t trade it, not one bit. Because I really couldn’t think of anything better.
“Well, hurry up, so we can start now.”
Chapter 2
Kelly
Icurled up on the couch with my pillow, my fuzzy blanket, and in my comfortable pjs. My face was void of all make up, my hair was up in a messy bun, and my contacts were off.
The inside Christmas lights were casting a soft glow on us and I was content.
There was no one else in my life who would do this with me. No other friend I had understood the bond I had with Josh, how he figured me out in a way no one could. How he soothed me when my hackles were up.
In fact, if people didn’t think we were dating, then they assumed he was gay. Both being the furthest thing from the truth.
I took a sip of my water before accepting the Mike’s Hard Lemonade from him.
