Page 15 of My December Darling

Do you think that would be plausible cause for the government to forgive my student loan debt?

Me

I hear those get passed on to family members when you die, so I think not.

Lucas

In that case, bottoms up.

He includes a coffee cup emoji, followed by a skull with crossbones.

Talking to Luke has become…easy. He has this natural charm that makes me want to keep the conversation going, which in itself is a miracle because I’m always looking for the easiest opportunity to see myself out of them.

Instead of letting our text thread die with his last message, I spend a few minutes searching for the espresso machine Winny bought herself for Christmas last year and send him the link. It’s one that uses pods that can be ordered online or purchased at a mall thirty minutes away.

Lucas

Serious question. If I invest in this costly machine, would you come visit me in the first-floor break room?

Me

You? No.

Me

The machine? Absolutely.

The dots appear and disappear twice before his next message comes through.

Lucas

Favorite flavor?

Me

Hazelnut.

Lucas

Your wish is my command.

Luke texts me multiple times, but I keep my replies to a minimum of fifteen characters or less. It’s easy to erect a wall, especially when I consider how a single conversation with him made me smile and laugh in a way I haven’t done with a man in a long time.

Keeping my distance is in everyone’s best interest. Things with Gaby and me are tense as it is, so the last thing I need to do is add another complicated layer to our family situation by becoming involved with the one person I will never be able to avoid.

Fate must be on my side because Luke and I haven’t run into each other at work for the next few days. After drinking a particularly watery cup of coffee from the machine, I almost texted him to check on the status of his espresso machine, but I deleted my message before I gained the nerve to hit send.

I should keep to myself during my time in Lake Wisteria. It’s not like I plan on sticking around past January 1st, so it’s best for me to avoid complicating matters by showing interest in my future brother-in-law’s best friend. That title automatically would turn a one-night stand into a one-night mistake I’d have to face every time Gaby and Aiden decide to bring us all together.

Yet no matter how many times I’ve told myself that this past week, I’m reminded of Luke every time I pass by that disgusting coffee machine, and the urge to reach out to him becomes stronger.

Thinking about Luke in any capacity makes me…confused. After spending the last two years disliking him, I’m not sure what to make of my growing fascination toward him, and I find myself thinking about him on more than one occasion.

So when my sister invites me to join her and Aiden at the Lake Wist-mas Holiday Extravaganza that weekend, I jump at the opportunity to get out of the house and distract myself. In my desperation, I didn’t truly consider what it would be like to spend an extended amount of time with my ex-boyfriend and my sister.

Before I started dating Aiden, Gaby and I were closer than ever, but now our relationship feels strained in a way that makes me anxious. I’m hoping this month can help us move past the awkwardness, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.

I love my hometown, but I’ve made it a point to find the furthest jobs I can get from Lake Wisteria, especially during the holidays. Given my mom’s side hustle of selling bottles of myfamily’s famouscoquito, there was no way she and my dad could take time to visit.

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