Page 48 of Merry Little Hate Notes

“Dad,” I warned with a verbal memo this go around.

At the same time, Brandon said, “I would love to. What can I do?” as he flashed me a grin.

Dad ignored my warning and plowed on. “This is excellent news. I’m hoping to convince her to revisit Christmas.”

Brandon rested his strong, warm hand on my knee. “I think I’d like to revisit Christmas too.” He turned his pretty head toward me. “Maybe we could do that together.”

Oh. Holy. Night. Things were getting real. And magically scary.

Dad and Brandon seemed to wait with bated breath for me to respond.

All the charts in my head were converging and blinking, warning me that Christmas magic was the most powerful magic around and I should proceed with caution. But dang if I didn’t want to be happy again.

“What do you say, Holly-Pops?” Brandon rubbed my knee, making me feel all sorts of connections.

I blew out a long, slow breath. “Let them play it. Is not a comonty a Christmas gambold or a tumbling trick?” I quoted Shakespeare—it was my thing.

“What does that mean?” Brandon laughed.

“It means I’d like to revisit Christmas with you.”

BRANDON

HOLLY AND I STROLLED TOGETHER through the sound of squeaky carts during the major hustle and bustle that was Costco on a Friday night. My head kept turning, overwhelmed by the larger-than-life TV screens and massive rows displaying giant bags of food. It wasn’t exactly romantic, but we were together, and I would take what I could get. My wingman was constantly reminding me to ease into things, and that was the plan, even though I felt the need for speed. But I wasn’t keen on admitting to Holly I’d lied and knowingly hurt her so long ago, which was why I knew I had to take it slow. I needed her to believe how sorry I was before I ventured to kiss her, even though it was all I could think about. On a more positive note, I did score the biggest bag of athletic socks known to man. Holly said you haven’t really lived until you’ve bought clothes at Costco, so I guess I was living life now.

Holly turned us down an aisle with a variety of dried fruits.

I faithfully followed, pushing the biggest grocery cart I’d ever seen while admiring her figure in a dark-green tunic sweater and leggings. The color and fit were perfect on her. Even so, I couldn’t resist leaving her a note this morning that said,Hey, Mistle-Toad.In return, she left me one that said,Go, prick thy face, Rude-olph.She was cleverly mixing her Shakespeare into the holiday insults. I couldn’t help but be in awe of her talent. She also excelled at drawing, but I’d let her down today. “You’re being quiet. Are you still upset we lost holiday Pictionary?”

Holly pursed her lips while considering her response.

I could tell she was doing her best not to lambast me.

“I’m just a little confused why you would sayflagpoleinstead ofNorth Polewhen clearly it was holiday themedandI candy-striped the pole.”

“I’m sorry—I blurted prematurely.”

She giggled. “Blurted prematurely?”

“Yeah, I seem to do that a lot around you.”

“I seem to have the same problem,” she said coyly. “But”—her index finger hovered just barely over her thumb—“we were this close to winning today.”

That picture was the tiebreaker, and I blew it. “Again, I’m sorry. How can I make it up to you? Let me buy you a bag of mangoes.”

“I already have two bags at home,” she playfully grumbled.

“Okay. How about one of the giant cups of ice cream I’ve seen people walking around with?”

“Hmm. Ice cream might soothe my soul.”

I chuckled. “Ice cream it is, then. You should just be glad Jane isn’t your partner. She scared the hell out of me and every other guy today with her nutcracker picture. I don’t think she understood the assignment.”

“I’m pretty sure she did. She just hates everything and everyone—especially your wingman for bringing about all the office holiday cheer, so you better tellhimto watch out. Who is he, by the way?” She wagged her brows. “Is he following us around, waiting to help you out?” She cackled.

I swallowed hard, not wishing to disclose that information yet. It was another case of premature blurting coming back to bite me. So I went the cocky route. Maybe not my finest move, but was any move with Holly? “I don’t need help. I have the perfect plan for tonight. Costco is just the beginning.”

“I don’t know if you can top Costco. Did you see those rotisseriechickens and all the free samples? And they sell croissant bread. Have you ever heard of such a wonderful creation?”

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