Tyler holds my gaze. “Lainey and Enzo are, of course, welcome. In fact, save us all and join us.”
“I, uh, oh.” I swallow in defeat. “Okay.”
The entire room goes quiet because his mother just strong-armed us all, and she’s happy as a clam.
“I’m going to head out.” I swoop down to grab a few presents and the bag of meat.
“I’ll help you.” Tyler joins me and picks up thebiggest box.
We manage to ignore them both as we quickly scoot away out of the living room until we have to stop because the bags of groceries are a barricade by the front door, and we place the presents down.
“I’m so sorry,” Tyler says quietly so only we can hear, and he sounds completely guilty, but he shouldn’t feel that way. “I didn’t know they were arriving early.”
I chuckle and smile. “Your parents are… unique.”
“Tell me about it.” He blows out a breath.
“It’s fine, we don’t have to stop by tomorrow.” I’m giving him an out.
He shakes his head. “Nah, it will be fun. You two should stop by.”
“Really?” My voice pitches higher.
“I mean, they are a pack of vultures who are eager for every detail of my life, but I’m hoping the presence of a child and a game of dreidel will deter them and keep them occupied.”
I clink my tongue. “Smart. Okay, what can we bring?”
“Sanity,” he deadpans, and my smile returns. “Seriously, nothing.”
For a moment we stay silent, except our eyes have their own conversation. One where we recognize that the situation between us is shifting. We’re not the same two people around one another as we were a month ago. Neither one of us seems to mind.
“Even if I don’t kiss you now, I’m sure my mom will plant mistletoe strategically around the place by tomorrow afternoon,” he explains casually and leans against the door.
“My mouth might be busy.” I bite my inner cheek.
He whistles out a sound. “Just had to take us there, huh?”
With purpose, I push out my chest and put on my best sultry face and voice. “Yes.” I step to him and kiss hischeek before brushing my mouth to his ear. “Enjoy your evening.”
My intention was to only kiss his cheek and rile him a little with a whisper, but he moves the angle of his head to capture my lips for a quick kiss.
Except the kiss will still leave an effect on me. I’ll still be smiling like a girl with a crush for the rest of the night. Most of all, my mind will be racing with possibilities of what we are.
Being only friends with benefits is the lie of the century. It isn’t possible.
When he pulls away, it’s as if his eyes are giving me an unknown promise. His mouth twitches because he is aware that he has a pull on me.
It’s a few seconds before we break our moment and handle the logistics of the bags.
Five minutes later, with presents hidden in my closet, I double-check the stockings above the fireplace. They are perfectly in place as they have been for weeks, but I need to occupy myself. It’s hopeless because my mind is lost on one person. Enzo is safe and happy, which is why it feels okay that I’m allowed to have moments where I can only think of one other person. The hockey guy living across the hall.
Enzo is so engrossedin his new remote-controlled race car that I ignore the scattered opened boxes and paper everywhere but admire the twinkling of tree lights on this Christmas morning.
I’m resting on the sofa in pajamas, with my feet tucked under my knees. Cup of coffee in one hand and my phone in the other while I sit at the kitchenisland.
“Sorry. Santa’s gifts veto calls with uncles,” I tell my brother as we talk over video, and Enzo says merely a hello before returning to his presents.
He chuckles and scratches his scruff. I wish he would trim his beard. It isn’t long and maybe borderline stubble, but I don’t think it suits him.
