“You don’t have to go to Florida,” he said. “You could move back home if you want.”
He looked so forlorn at the thought of losing me that I felt a lump of guilt in my throat. At least in New York, I could visit them every couple weeks. It was only a few hours between us. But not Florida.
“I know dad,” I replied softly. “And I appreciate it, but…”
“You know everyone always thinks they want to move to the warmer climates. But it’s really not that great. After a while, you just feel hot and sticky all the time. It gets old, real quick.”
I smiled and opened the door of the truck. “C’mon dad, let’s just go enjoy Christmas okay? I have a feeling it’s going to be the best year yet.”
It was a lie. But my dad agreed anyway. We both walked into the house with a black cloud hanging over us.
Chapter Nine
Christmas Eve at the Keller house had been quite the affair. My parents could never settle for just one day of celebrations. They always made it a big ordeal.
I loved them for it, and usually, it was the highlight of my year. Family and friends gathered around the table, dining and drinking and engaging in the general merriment that accompanied this time of year.
But this time, it drained me. I smiled and laughed when appropriate and engaged in plenty of conversation. I even put up with our neighbor Brad kissing me every time I got remotely close to the mistletoe.
By seven o’ clock, I was over it.
I padded up to my room and changed into my pajamas, glancing at my phone one last time. Kane hadn’t called or texted. I didn’t expect him to.
So why did it still hurt?
***
Christmas morning.
We were all gathered around the tree, opening presents. I was on my second Hot Toddy. My mother shot me a worried glance as I polished off the delicious concoction.
“Really Aspen, it isn’t even ten yet,” she chided.
“It’s Christmas, mom.” I smiled sweetly.
She rolled her eyes.
The doorbell rang and she padded off, prattling on about who that could be. I was certain it was just more family coming out of the woodworks. The room was already filled to the brim, but what was a couple more? The Keller family was big and loud, and I loved them all the more for it.
I was unwrapping a gift from my Aunt Betty when my mother cleared her voice across the room.
“Look, everybody, Aspen’s friend has decided to join us this year. Isn’t that lovely?”
I glanced up with what was no doubt a horrified expression when I saw Kane standing there. Surely, I had to be hallucinating.
Kane smiled politely and glanced around the room at all the faces staring back at him. This was probably super weird for him.
I got up and walked towards him, intending to take him in the other room and ask him what this was about. But then he spoke.
“Hello, everyone,” he said. “For those who don’t know me, I’m Aspen’s crazy boss, Kane.”
“Oh, stop.” My mother waved her hand with a blush and a giggle. Geez. Even she wasn’t immune to his charms.
“We know who you are,” she said. “Aspen never stops talking about you and how amazing you are.”
Oh, God. My face was on fire. And Kane was grinning back at me like a loon.
I took a few steps closer and tried to pull him from the room. He wasn’t budging though.
