Page 18 of A Curvy Wonderland

She smiled. “That will be so much fun.” Her eyes lit up, like she just got an idea.

“What?” I asked.

“Nothing,” She hurried away from the table, leaving her plate there.

“Okay, I'll pick that up for you!” I called after her.

“Thanks!” She was already halfway across the house.

I put her plate away and waited a few minutes in the dining room to see what my mom was up to. Bob sat beside me, his fluffy head tilted like he was curious too. But after a little while, I had to leave or else I would be late to meet Holly, Tatum, and Lucy in the café.

“Come on, Bob,” I said, stepping outside.

The air was crisp against my lungs as I walked over the freshly shoveled path between the house and the café building. Once there, I let myself inside. Bob followed me, shaking out his thick fur.

I scratched his ears, and the deep sense of love overwhelmed me. It almost hurt. Because no matter what, this dog was at my side. He didn't judge me, didn't make me feel like I had to put on a show and act happier; he just accepted me and loved me as I was.

Dogs were definitely better than people. At least, Bob was.

Just then, the door to the café opened, and Holly, Lucy, and Tatum came inside.

I stared inhorrorat their outfits.

Holly wore a Rudolph sweater, all brown with the reindeer’s face front and center. A big red fluff ball was attached for its nose. With her sweater, she had on brown leggings, brown boots, reindeer makeup, and the gaudiest antler headband I'd ever seen.

Tatum and Lucy trotted in after her, galloping like reindeer and making snorting sounds, with matching reindeer headbands perched atop their own heads.

“You have got to be kidding me,” I said. “Pleasetell me you brought a change of clothes.”

Holly grinned bigger than usual. It made her eyes crinkle at the corners, and her nose scrunched in the cutest way. “I always bring extra outfits for the girls, just in case, but you're stuck with me like this for the day.”

Tatum said, “I don’t wanna change.”

I turned to Tatum and Lucy. “How much did she pay you to dress up like this? I'll double it.”

Tatum and Lucy looked at each other giggling, and then Lucy said, “She didn't pay us.”

“So it should be easy to buy you out.” I got out my wallet, completely ready to pay them. But then the door to the café opened again, and my mom came in holding a duffel bag. “I found it,” she said breathlessly.

Then looking around the room, she saw Tatum, Holly, Lucy, and my horrified look, and burst out laughing.

My lips twitched even though this was so not funny.

“You girls are adorable,” she said.

“Thank you, Mrs. Green,” Holly said. “Scrooge over here doesn't seem to appreciate it so much.”

My mom said, “What if we changed him into a Santa instead of a Scrooge?”

Tatum and Lucy nodded excitedly, but I looked at her skeptically. “What are you saying?”

“Well, if you're delivering presents today, and you already have the reindeer, it only makes sense that Santa would be the one delivering them.”

I started backing away, saying, “Bob, sic ‘em.”

He let out a huff and lay on the ground, a big blob of fur. Traitor.

Mom set the duffel bag on one of the tables, unzipped it, and held up a bright red Santa suit–red velvet, furry white trim, black belt and all.

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