“Will your mom let you?” Harvey teased, though I could sense the sting of truth underneath.
I sat up, my stomach more tightly knotted than a wreath. “I know my family is extra. So am I, in some ways. Mom and I are butting heads, but I think it has more to do with my future in general than you and me.”
He brushed my hair behind my ear. “You should probably get some space from her.”
“I can’t exactly move out on an elf’s salary.” Even that was soon to be nothing. I fiddled with my hood, rubbing the fur on my cheeks. “Plus, we’ve only been dating a few weeks, which means you probably don’t want me around as a roomie.”
He studied me intently, a line between his brows. “Do youwantto live with me?”
Oh, what a question. If Santa himself had asked me, I wasn’t sure I could answer honestly. “Eventually. But I want you to be my Daddy, not my sugar daddy.”
Harvey burst out laughing. “Thank you, Shelby. I think it’d be good for you to live on your own for a bit before…eventually.”
“Yeah, maybe.” I had to find a new job, first.
Harvey wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “What should I bring for your housewarming?”
“Hugs and kisses.”
“And cookies?”
“Ha. You reallydoknow me.” I gave him a kiss, smiling too much to linger in it.
He opened the car door, waiting in the warmth here. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow,” I agreed, with a silent cheer to our 'Eventually.'
36
Who Wins?
Right as I crossed the threshold to my house, Mom beamed at me and said, “Oh, you came home,” like she’d won against me and Harvey or something. There wasn’t a competition, though. I was still doing what was best for me.
She patted the worn couch cushion next to her. “Come, sit. Public access is playing holiday movies for the whole week.”
“No. I’m tired, remember?" That was the point of asking about a sleepover. "Plus, I have work tomorrow, so I shouldn’t stay up late.” I took off my shoes and shuffled to my room.
Mom followed me. “Tomorrow, then?”
“Maybe.” I ran my hand through my hair, smiling at my bright bouquet and the thought of Harvey.Wait a second.Hadn’t it been sitting on the other side of my desk? “You moved them," I said.
She raised her chin. “Moved what?”
“My flowers." I crossed my arms.
She dusted some eyeshadow dust from my desk into the palm of her hand. “I was tidying.”
Then why would the desk still have makeup on it? “Stop touching my things," I said.
“It was messy. Look, all this powder.” She flexed her glittering fingers at me.
I gestured to my makeup case. “I happen to love sparkles. Why can’t they be inmyroom? It’s not like glitter attracts ants.”
She frowned and gestured to my desk. “You need a clear space to do homework, apply for jobs–”
“I’m not in school anymore. And I’m working on the job thing. Somebody already wants me for a party.” I rummaged around in my drawers to make sure I still had Harvey’s stocking, the one I’d cut the bells off of to tie them to my boots. It was part of my grand Christmas gift plan.
Mom shook her head and gripped the back of my desk chair. “This party-character idea won’t pay enough, Shelby. Why don’t you try teaching? Or daycare? You’ll still enjoy children, but with steady pay. You’ll be involved in education. There’s also less cake, so you won’t get fat or sugar crash. No silly costumes necessary.”
