Page 26 of Holiday Tides

“Sorry, Mom.”

I sniff, clearing my face of the emotion I don’t want her to see. Mom has other things to worry about, I’m sure.

“It’s okay.” She gives me a quick side hug before tugging me into the small living room. “I’m glad you stopped by. I was goingto surprise you next Sunday when you come over for family dinner, but”—she pauses, gesturing toward the corner of the room—“ta da!”

A huge, freshly cut Christmas tree rests where the modest artificially lit one had resided my entire youth. It’s so big it spills in front of the window, giving the neighbors a glance of Christmas through the sheer curtains.

“We’re going to decorate it together. I bought new lights, a gorgeous angel for the top, and brought Gramma’s wooden decorations out of the garage. I thought—”

“You have her ornaments?” The moisture is back, making my voice wobble.

“Of course. You didn’t think I was going to let Spencer throw them out while he was on his simplifying-his-life kick.” She harrumphs. “I’m still ticked Sophia tossed those rose-patterned bathroom towels.”

“Thank you.” I wrap my mom in a hug fiercer than the one I gave her when they left me in North Carolina for college.

Mom used to always give us a quick squeeze and then be back to whatever fire she was trying to put out, but this time she lets me hold her, rubbing my back after a while. “Everything okay?”

For a millisecond, I want to tell her everything—about the cottage, about Cooper, about Nick, about the loss of my friendship with Kayla. But decades of not wanting to cause my parents more stress when so many of my siblings were troublemakers forces me to shake my head no.

“I’m fine. This is just a nice surprise.” I give her a convincing smile as I lean back.

My mom settles her hand on my cheek. “I know how much you love Christmas, and now that you’re here to celebrate with us for more than a weekend, I wanted to go all out.” The corner of her mouth tips up. “I hope you like it.”

A genuine grin splits my face as my heart warms. “I love it. I can’t wait for next weekend.”

After a comforting dinner with my parents and Simon—who still lives at home but at least has a good job at the post office now—I drive home. My phone pings with a text as I shift into park in front of the cottage.

Nick

Would you be interested in coming with me to Aldon’s white elephant party Saturday night?

Before I can answer, my phone sounds again.

Nick

Just as a friend. I know you’re happily coupled. Actually, do you want to bring him?

Nick

I already have two wrapped ornaments to trade, but I’ll pick up a third one for him. Not a problem. Just let me know.

Nick

I just thought it would be a good way for you to reconnect with locals and make more friends than just me.

Nick

You can never have too many friends.

Based on the number of times he typed ‘friend’ in these messages, I’m assuming that Nick regrets our almost-kiss for very different reasons than I did. A dozen times today, I had to forcibly remove the memory of sharing oxygen beneaththe mistletoe, the remnant scent of bourbon sauce and spiced cider muddying my common sense. Regardless of how his insistence we remain only friends sends a sting zipping over my collarbones, Nick is right. It’d be nice to meet new people and reacquaint myself with locals I knew before.

Summer

I’d love to come. Cooper can’t make it, though.

Eventually, I’ll explain that whole debacle, but I’m not about to do it over text. I glance toward the narrow walkway that leads to the pitch-black ocean, wondering why I don’t feel more bereft of the longest dating relationship of my adult life.

Losing Kayla felt like having the flu for a month.

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