Mom poked him in the ribs. “Do it. I miss her.”
“Me too.” He glanced out the window to see Lauren standing in the driveway as Foster loaded his bag into his trunk. She hugged herself. When he pulled out, she waved goodbye and then went into the house.
That looked easier than last night’s humiliation and regret session.
He heaved a sigh.
At this rate, it would be Christmas until Easter.
CHAPTER15
Breaking up with Foster got easier each Christmas. It took a few tries, a couple of blow-ups, and some icy goodbyes for her to figure out what to say that maintained an amicable relationship and had him packed and gone before sunrise.
At first, his serene acceptance was insulting. However, the less she defined herself by him, the more confident she felt being alone.
“I’m a Christmas butterfly,” she told Jacob as they put the finishing touches on their newest creation, a snow mouse. Their original snowmen presided over a small gathering of snow animals, including the elephant, a cat, a dog, a turtle, and a whale.
“A butterfly?” Jacob cooked his head to the side. “How so?”
“I was one way when Christmas started, but now, I feel different. I feel like I could do anything, be anything today.” She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. “Which brings me to an idea…”
“Uh-oh. Whenever you get an idea, I get a project.”
She laughed easily. “One time! One time I talked you into a project.”
“And I end up in wood shop for an entire semester.” He lifted an eyebrow in challenge.
She smiled. “I love my window seat. It’s perfect.”
His ears turned red, and he focused on the carving.
Her face heated. She’d thrown the word: love, out there without thinking about the consequences. Something was happening between her and Jacob. They’d fallen back into an easy friendship. Not exactly picking up where they left off but not starting new either. They didn’t talk about anything that extended beyond Christmas day. Which was fine with her, considering that was all they ever had together. Twenty-four hours that started over the moment she opened her eyes each morning. If that was all she ever got with him, then she’d take it–for now. There may come a time when she wanted more, but she wasn’t ready to explore those options just yet.
“You know, if hadn’t been for my project idea, you might not have learned how much you love woodworking, and you wouldn’t have your own cabinet shop today.”
“I owe it all to you.” His sarcasm was light and teasing. “What did you have in mind this time?”
“It’s more work for me…” she hedged, holding out on him on purpose.
He paused, waiting.
“Come to Christmas dinner at my house,” she said so fast she wasn’t sure she’d said it at all. “Bring your mom. I thought this would be a way she could feel like it was Christmas, like the old days when our families would have barbecues and game nights together.”
It was no wonder she and Jacob had been best friends growing up. They were thrown together often enough as babes that they had to get along. Besides, living next door to your best friend was the best situation.
“You’re inviting us to Christmas dinner?” He stared at her house as if it were the forbidden forest. After graduation, she’d told her family he wasn’t welcome anymore. Of course, she didn’t tell them why and there was a huge awkwardness that hovered between their homes as he tried to contact her and she avoided him.
She assumed after she’d left home that Mom lifted the ban, and she was right. Ethan didn’t abide by it either; the older brother traitor spent every Sunday during football season hosting Jacob.
Collin was the worst. He idolized the guy.
“Does it feel too soon?” For her, the days built on one another, and she was letting Jacob into her heart. It wasn’t the same for anyone else, though. Her mom was confused when Foster left. Her brother brought Collin over and they wanted to play Candy Cane Minute to Win It every day. Collin was always excited about it like he’d been waiting his whole life to play the game. Her skill at picking up ornaments with a candy cane held between her teeth was practically professional level.
Jacob stood and stretched his hands over his head, arching his back. “It feels like it’s about time.”
She warmed all over. If she stood there staring at him any longer, she’d melt clear through the snow to the grass underneath. “Okay. I’ll just…” She stumbled on the snow as she walked backward. Catching herself and flushing even deeper, she straightened. “I’ll make sure to set two more spots.”
Lauren made it inside without falling on her face. She leaned against the door and let out a gusty sigh.
