Page 64 of Holiday Hostilities

I grab my phone and snap a picture, then text it to him.

You are a ridiculous man, Aaron Marino.

Morning, sleepyhead. Or afternoon, at this point. I thought there’d be multiple darts in the middle of my forehead by now.

Might have slept in a bit. But thank you. This is an excellent addition to your decor.

Figured you might want something you can take out all your holiday hostilities on.

This gift makes me feel the warmest and fuzziest I’ve felt about the holidays in a long time.

Probably due to the pictures of my handsome face on the dartboard.

I pause briefly, searching, waiting for the annoyance and indignance I usually feel towards Aaron and his ridiculous remarks, but I come up empty.

Instead of replying,I pocket my phone and head back to the kitchen in search of carbs and more caffeine.

Humming, I open the fridge to find three cartons of Oatly and a huge case of canned Diet Coke. There’s also tortilla wraps, eggs, bacon, sausage, veggies, and everything one might need to make breakfast burritos.

Hm. Aaron must love them as much as I do.

I then head to the pantry, where there’s a neatly stacked shelf full of snacks.

All clearly labeled “nut free.”

Did you, by chance, buy me snacks and Diet Coke?

Possibly.

You didn’t need to do that!

Sure I did. I remember how hangry you can get.

I don’t know whether to be flattered or offended.

Oh, it was purely selfish on my part. Last thing I needed was a hangry houseguest on my hands.

I let out a chuckle, rolling my eyes as I reply.

Wow, that was a lot of alliteration.

People do say that I have a way with words.

Humble as always. But thank you for the snacks.

You are most welcome. We can eat some tonight while watching Saw III.

You assuming I don’t have plans?

On the contrary, I’m assuming you do have plans. With me. And Jigsaw.

I grin at my phone screen, then suck in a sudden, sharp breath. Because the feeling that’s currently rising up in me as I text Aaron?

It’s the opposite of annoyed or indignant.

In fact, it’s downright…fluttery.

24

---