Page 43 of The Holiday Games

“It’s not love at first sight,” she says. “It’s just…really fast love. Really fast love happens! Remember the Sackmans? They met in our lobby, fell in love during the Christmas cookie decorating class, and were married by the following summer. Five years later, they still book a room every December Twenty-Third to celebrate their fast love anniversary. Which reminds me, I need to find a special treat for their room. What’s the fifth anniversary? Fruit?”

“Wood. You should get them one of those hand-carved wooden bud vases from the country store,” I say, tugging open my coat as I continue to pace the sleepy streets. It’s nearly fifty degrees, another unusually warm December day I know Leo and I will enjoy to the fullest…if I can’t get Kayla to talk some sense into me. Fast.

“Yes, brilliant,” she says. “You’re always so good with gifts.”

“And bad with men,” I say. “Remind me that I have a horrible track record with men and that this one likely isn’t any different. Help me come to my senses before I’m so gone on this guy, I set off a bomb in the middle of my happy family.”

“What?” Kayla finally sounds worried. “Why would he set off a bomb in the middle of your family? Does he kick puppies or something? I mean, we already know he’s a cat dad, so he can’t be all bad.”

“About the cat,” I say, bracing myself for the really sticky part of this confession. “There’s something I didn’t tell you. About how Leo came to have the cat… He may have dated my cousin Vivian. For years.”

“Wh-what?” she stammers.

“Yes,” I continue, “and the cat was her cat, the one she said died and she buried in Central Park before leaving the city and her allegedly evil boyfriend behind.”

“What!” Kayla’s screech is loud enough to make me wince and pull my cell a few inches from my ear. “Oh my God. How did she explain the fact that he’s alive?”

“I don’t know.” I drag a hand through my hair. “I haven’t talked to her about any of this yet, but the cat is definitely Greg. There’s no doubt. I recognize the birthmark on his paw. If she lied about that, it follows she probably lied about other things, too. And Leo doesn’t seem evil. Not even a little bit. Maybe I’m being naïve, but I trust him.”

“Well, you have good instincts, C.C.,” she says. “But wow… You’re right. This could blow up in your face. Dating your cousin’s ex would be uncomfortable enough without all the drama and lies and zombie cats rising from the dead.”

“He’s not a zombie. He’s adorable. I can send you pictures tonight. Leo and I are going to have dinner at his place after he gives me his local’s tour of the city. He wants me to have moretime with Greg before I commit to taking him to Vermont. Oh, and that reminds me, could you send me some pictures of my crochet elves? Leo wanted to see them.”

“Yes, absolutely, but…” Kayla hums beneath her breath. “Do you think being alone with the panty melter at his place is a good idea? Your panties might melt off, and sleeping with him will only make things more complicated.”

“We’re not going to sleep together,” I say, ignoring the flutter the thought sends through my entire being.

“Right,” Kayla says. “And I’m not going to eat every piece of caramel crunch fudge I stole from the holiday assortment in the breakroom before Francine could get her grubby fingers on it.”

“You’re so bad at sharing.”

“Only when it comes to caramel crunch fudge,” she says. “And peppermint cookies and fresh popcorn and perfectly ripe avocados. Especially avocados. They’re only just right for a short window of time. A girl has to seize the moment before someone else does, and she ends up eating gross brown mush on her toast. That’s why I hide the best avocados under the bathroom sink so Harry can’t find them and has to eat the soft ones first.”

I make a considering sound, tugging at my ear as I take a left at the next block, turning back toward Central Park.

“What?” Kayla asks. “You can’t judge me. I mean, you can, but you still have to be my friend. That’s the way lifetime friendships work. They’re for life. No take backs.”

Smiling, I say, “No, of course not. What would I do without you? I was just thinking that men can be a lot like avocados.”

“Oh, I see,” she says. “Yes, they can. If you don’t seize them at the right moment, someone else will.”

“And then I’ll be stuck dating gross brown mush,” I agree.

“And you deserve so much better than mush. Or Chris.” Her voice heats as she adds, “I’m going to kick him in the shins the next time I see him. How dare he cheat on you? You are so farout of his league, woman. He should have been thanking his lucky stars every day that you consented to date him.”

I sigh. “No, he shouldn’t have. I wasn’t a good girlfriend to him, Kay. We weren’t good together. But I think Leo and I could be. I think he could be…the One.”

She gasps. “Oh my God. But you don’t even believe in the One!”

“I know, but…maybe I do now.”

She gasp-laugh-squeals, but keeps the volume low enough that I don’t have to cringe away from the phone again. “Yes! Then, yes! You have to go for it. Who cares about Vivian? Vivian will have to deal with whatever happens. When you meet the One, you have to jump into the love ocean head-first. Like with Harry. Nothing could have stopped me. I wouldn’t have cared if he used to date my best friend. No offense.”

“None taken,” I say. “But what about my nephews? And Frank? They’re innocent. This could set off a chain reaction that could seriously impact their lives and happiness, too.”

“I know,” she says, her tone softening. “But that’s not your fault. Or your responsibility. Vivian created this situation, and she’s going to have to deal with the fallout sooner or later. Secrets don’t stay secrets. Not in the world we live in now. It’s only a matter of time before her lies catch up to her. At least if you’re the one to expose her, it’ll be coming from someone who cares.”

“Maybe,” I mutter, my pulse picking up as the impressive white façade of the Met comes into view. “Thanks for the talk. I needed some outside perspective.”

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