I gestured, vaguely, as if to indicate the whole damn, frustrating world around me.“It just...is.I bet I won’t even see him until next Christmas.”
It was the noise you make when you despair of someone, and can barely find the words for it.
I paused, from pulling into a parking space, to glance at my friend and take in his exceedingly aggravated expression.
Eventually Kyle seemed capable of speech again.“And you don’t think it might be a good idea to go over there yourself?Shortcut the whole ‘interminable waiting for a good thing’ part?”
I made a face as I put the truck in park and shut off the engine.“If he was actually interested, he’d make the effort.So, yeah.It’ll be Christmas.”
Kyle was still grumbling as he followed me into the store.
Chapter Twenty-Two
It was the same blackSUV, even if I told myself there must be a million of them.Parked in the street when we got back from the store.
Kyle whistled, appreciatively.“Nice ride.”
“They break down,” I said, distracted.Then jerked in surprise, as the paper bag I was holding began to split.“Fuck!”
He reached out to support the other side.Flashing me a curious look.
“Why are you suddenly acting weird?”He glanced at the SUV again, then back to me.“Ah.Let me guess.”
“Don’t say a fucking word,” I snapped, hiking the bag up and turning it so that the tear was against my chest.It’d hold for a quick dash up the driveway, at least.
Somehow, Kyle’s expression of pointed innocence was even more annoying than his comments had been.I stalked up the path to the side door that opened into the kitchen.
“Thanks for your help.”
He grinned; it was infuriatingly smug.“Am I being dismissed?”
“Released from service,” I suggested.
A laugh.“Right, right.And nothing to do with the unexpected arrival of you-know-who.I didn’t realize we were so close to Christmas.”
Reaching out, I clasped a hand on Kyle’s shoulder; squeezed it, while flashing him my best, biggest, most beaming smile.“Go fuck yourself, okay?”
