Page 4 of Holiday Situationship

My mind races, panic rising in my throat. A couples’ retreat with Sam. He’s going to throttle me for dragging him into this mess.

“Really, I—we can’t.”

“That’s too bad.” Julia nods and stands. A sense of relief hits me, knowing I’ve narrowly dodged a bullet. “There are some changes coming in the company, and I would have loved to get a better sense of your fit with what’s on the horizon.”

My fit with what’s coming? Am I in danger of losing my job or getting passed over for a promotion?

“Oh, uh, you know, Sam’s been talking about getting away,” I manage to say with a shaky voice. “Thank you. We’ll go.”

I gulp back the knotted dread in my throat and scramble to figure out how to turn my little white lie into reality without everything unraveling.

***

Sam

The doorbell rings, and I hesitate to answer, wary that it might be Chastity returning to the scene of the crime for some forgotten toiletries. She never kept much here, nor did I encourage her to do so. That should’ve been a red flag from the start. I knew our relationship wouldn’t go anywhere.

I tear myself away from the World Darts Championship games, the only thing worth watching on TV, and that’s saying something. When I open the door, I’m surprised to see Annie standing on the stoop with a beaming smile and bottle of wine. My favorite wine.

“Hey,” she chirps, a tad too cheerful. “Thought I’d stop by and see how you’re doing.”

Ordinarily I’m thrilled to see Annie. Spending time with her is the highlight of my day. But she doesn’t usually pop in unannounced. The last time Annie rang my bell without a text or phone call, Leah, a former girlfriend, greeted her at the door wearing a naughty maid outfit. I worked late that evening and had no idea Leah had let herself in with a duplicate key. Needless to say, it was an awkward situation for everyone, and I’ve made certain no girlfriend has ever had a key since. Annie’s the only exception to the rule.

“This is a surprise.” I hesitate before stepping aside to let her inside. I’m relieved to see her rather than Chastity, but I know Annie too well to believe this isn’t a random visit. “What are you doing here?”

“I can’t drop in on my best friend?” She breezes past me into the living room, and I follow her, perplexed.

She shrugs out of her coat and throws it over the sofa back and heads straight to the kitchen. A cabinet door creaks, followed by the soft clink of glassware, and the distinctive scrape of a drawer opening. I reach the doorway and lean on the frame.

“Of course you can drop in. What’s the occasion?” I ask, curious about what’s behind this unexpected visit.

“I have big news.” Her cheeks flush bright pink, and a wide grin stretches across her face. Her eyes sparkle, but there’s tension across her brow as if she’s holding something back. Something important. “We should order pizza.”

If she’s worried about me and the breakup with Chastity, I don’t need a pep talk. And then it hits me, and my heart nose dives to the pit of my stomach. I told her she should get out there and have fun, but the idea of her with someone else doesn’t sit right with me. The thought of Annie dating someone disappoints me more than I’d like to admit. More than I can admit without losing her.

It kills me that the one night we spent together is the only night I’ll ever have with her. That’s the consequence of bedding my best friend in a drunken stupor. Annie never mentioned it after that night, and I assumed she didn’t remember. The facts were a bit fuzzy, but I’ve never forgotten. Bringing it up in conversation seemed like a bad idea. Maybe she didn’t want to remember and pushed it out of her mind, distancing it from the friendship we hold so dear.

Annie pours two generous glasses of wine and hands one to me. Her fingers lightly graze mine, sending an exhilarating tingle up my arm. It’s a sensation I’ve never quite gotten used to, and will never forget.

“To lifelong friendship,” she declares, raising her glass with a quirky grin. “And to you for being the most reliable, supportive, and all-around amazing best friend anyone could ask for.”

Her words are layered with genuine affection, but she spews them too quickly, like she’s holding something back. I can’t help but be amused at her playful, yet flurried expression.

“I guess I can drink to that.” I clink my glass against hers, trying to ignore the flutter in my chest. I watch her over the rim of my glass, but she doesn’t take a sip of hers.

“And for always being there when I need a huge favor.” She quickly takes a gulp of wine, eyeing me with a worried, yet teasing glint in her eye.

I watch her closely, curious about the favor she’s hinting at and how big an ask it will be. Though, I’d do anything for Annie. Anything at all.

“Annie Louise Prescott.” I place my glass gently on the countertop. “What have you gotten yourself into this time?”

She drops her shoulders with an exaggerated sigh, knowing she’s busted. I laugh as I slap my hand on the counter. “Ha! I knew it. Out with it.”

“So, um, my boss—I kind of told her a little white lie.” She signals a very small quarter inch with her thumb and forefinger, squinting as if it’s an itty bitty thing, but I know better. I know Annie better. She’s go-big-or-go-home with everything she does.

“And?” I urge her to continue.

“She invited me to a couple’s holiday retreat, and there’s something big going on behind the scenes. She said something about me being fit for what’s on the horizon or something like that, so I panicked and blurted out that I was in a serious relationship, but I’m obviously not, but she asked to see a photo and I showed her a picture of us at that beer thing, which sealed the deal and now she’s expecting us to be there.” She pauses to take a breath as my brain races to keep up. “At the couple’s retreat. For a week, her treat. Please, Sam. I need your help.”

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