Stella sidles up beside me at the kitchen counter and sets down a stack of plates. “Good call suggesting we wait for a bit before we have dessert. Although with the way Spencer eyed you all through dinner, I think he’s more interested in havingyoufor dessert than anything I brought from Cravings.”
“Stella McGrath!” I whisper-yell, elbowing her in the arm and swiveling my head around to make sure nobody overheard her.
She cackles. “Don’t act so scandalized, you were looking at him the same way. What’s going on? Have his mixed signals turned into a green light?”
I blow out a gusty sigh. “Get the others and meet me in my room, okay?”
“Ooh, serious,” Stella says, her eyes alight with curiosity.
I nudge her again, harder this time. She gives me a little shove in return, and then we part ways, both of us laughing under our breath. This is the perfect time for a confab since the guys are occupied with cleanup and Jordy has put yet another Christmas movie on in the living room.
As soon as the four of us are in my room and Evie has closed the door behind me, I blurt, “Spencer says he’s smitten with me.”
Three sets of eyes look at me in confusion. Although I suppose, technically, Stella’s expression is more like ‘well, duh’ than confusion.
“We’ve been dancing around each other for weeks.” I wave for all of them to join me on the bed. “When we started hanging out, we agreed we’d just be friends, at least for now. Spending time with him has been so great, but I developed feelings for him when we were chatting on LoveLinks, and they got stronger every time we saw each other. He kept giving me all these mixed signals, though, and it started messing with my head.”
“What sort of mixed signals?” Evie asks.
“Well, like maintaining he wants to be friends but then…kissing me.”
“Kissingyou?” she cries. I flail my arms to shush her. “Why were we not informed about this? Or at leastIwasn’t.” She glances around at the others, who all shake their heads, their gazes trained on me.
“I don’t have a legitimate reason for not telling you,” I say. “I’ve been trying to process my feelings for Spencer, plus everything happening with Jordy. And…there’s more.” When they all simply look at me expectantly, I take a deep breath and forge on. “Spencer invited me to spend Christmas with him in London.”
I close my eyes in anticipation of their reactions. I’m sure the others will hear them. For that matter, I’m sure the whole neighborhood will hear them. After a moment, I crack one eye open to peer at them. They’re all exchanging silent looks, which is almost worse than having to field rapid-fire questions and comments.
Louisa is the first to speak. “I’m obviously not an expert in the romance department, but I wouldn’t call that a mixed signal.In fact, I’d call that a pretty clear signal.”
Stella nods vigorously. “Crystal clear. How could you not tell us this? When are you leaving?”
I sputter out a laugh. “I’mnot. We’ve only been hanging out for a month and we’re not even an official couple. Spending the holidays with himherewould have been one thing, but traveling across an ocean with him is another thing entirely.”
“Yeah, but across an ocean to a country that’s at the top of your wish list,” Evie says.
“With the guy of your dreams,” Stella adds.
“You’re the least impulsive person I know,” Louisa says. “If you went with Spencer, it would be because you saw real potential for a future with him. You may not have known each other all that long, but you’re a good judge of character.”
I blink at my friends. “Wait, I think I’m missing something here. Do you guys think this is a good idea? Are you telling me you think I should go?”
Stella shrugs one shoulder. “I’d go. You learn a lot about a person by traveling with them.”
“True,” Evie says. “You could realize he’s The One and fall madly in love, or you might decide you’re not right for each other. Obviously, we’re rooting for the former.”
Louisa nods. “Definitely the former. And think of what an adventure it would be. London at Christmas, Hollie! London at Christmas with a hot Brit who you said yourself is smitten with you.”
My mouth opens and closes, fishlike. I bet my eyes are bulging like a fish out of water too. “I can’t believe you think this is a good idea,” I say faintly. “I thought you’d agree it was way too soon for something like this.”
“Ultimately what matters is whatyouthink and howyoufeel, Hols,” Evie says.
“If I’m being completely honest, Iwantto go,” I say. “But then the practical side of me kicks in and reels off endless questions. What about Christmas here with all of you? I wouldn’t be able to stay as long as he’s staying, so I’d have to fly back on my own. What about the fact we’re not even officially dating yet? And the fact a last-minute ticket would cost a small fortune? And that’s if I could evengeta ticket at the last minute.”
Louisa shifts so she’s sitting directly in front of me. She picks up both my hands and holds them loosely in hers. “Forget what your head says. What does your gut say? Or better yet, your heart?”
I sit very still, staring at my hands gripped in Louisa’s. I attempt to drown out the voices in my head and tune into my gut and my heart.
“Not to interrupt,” Stella says in a half-whisper a few minutes later. She holds up her phone with the screen facing me. “I’m not sure when Spencer is planning to leave, but I’ve just been looking up flights and there are seats available on most flights over the next few days.”
