“Bean is special. I’ll have that.”
She drew her brows together. “I don’t like it.”
Neither did I, but Van seemed satisfied with how everything was going, and that was without me as his girlfriend. “I’m happy, and we’re still friends. He was over the other night for dinner, and we kept our hands off each other.” It seemed easy for him. “He’s coming over for Christmas Eve.”
“What’s he doing on Christmas Day?”
“I don’t know.” It was like I was breathing through a damp washcloth. I wasn’t his wife, and I didn’t get to know his plans. “Maybe he’s found someone already.”
“Pssht. He has not.”
“He turned down your invite, and he hasn’t said what he’s doing. It’s not my business.” Either it was another woman, or he didn’t want to be with me. Didn’t matter which one, the outcome was the same.
She let out a small sigh. “And you’re ringing in New Year’s Day alone?”
“It’ll be better than last year.” I’d been recovering from bronchitis, and Elijah had insisted he couldn’t go out with friends alone. For some reason, staying home alone with me hadn’t been an option, so I’d let him drag me out.
She exhaled a gusty sigh. “I guess if it works.”
“Yes, it does. We’re friends.”
She picked up her fork and stabbed into a piece of beef. “You’re so stubborn.”
For the security of me and Bean, yes, I would be.
Van
* * *
My third attempt at wrapping the present for Clover was the best. The seams were still crooked, but it was covered. I held it and knocked on her door.
She opened it, dressed in an oversized cream knit sweater and red plaid leggings. Her hair was gathered behind her in a loose bun.
My mouth went dry. “Damn.”
She looked behind her. “The tree? It’s sad, isn’t it?”
What tree? Behind her was a small tree that didn’t reach two feet tall. The fake green needles were barely visible under the garland and silver and red ornaments.
“The tree isn’t sad at all. It matches you.” Only I didn’t want to strip the tree down. I didn’t want to lift its garland and see how big the baby belly had gotten. I didn’t want to frame my hands around the tree and imagine a life with it.
But she was thriving on her own. Her cheeks glowed, and she looked as sweet as a Christmas cookie.
“Come in.”
When I stepped inside, a familiar smell reached my nose. “Oh good, the pizza arrived.”
“Thank you for doing that.”
“No problem.” I passed her the gift, wincing at the crooked wrapping.
“I knew it. I got you something too.” She smiled and put the gift under the tree next to another box of a similar size.
“You thought I’d come over on Christmas Eve without a gift?”
“No, and that’s why I made sure to get you something. I would’ve anyway though.”
I knew that too. I followed her into the kitchen. She’d put up a few drawings on the fridge. One was from Auggie of Santa with a soccer ball, and another from Cali of a Christmas tree with a bright star above it. A third was hard to make out, much less have a signature of any kind.
