Page 4 of This December

“They already ate,” Belle answered across the table. “The littles are down for the night and the bigs are in the basement torturing Maple and Honey who are on babysitting duty.”

My eyebrows went up at the thought of my parents’ golden retrievers being babysitters. That sounded legit and not at all like the plot to a Christmas movie. And then the first part of her statement hit me. “You’re all sleeping over tonight?”

“It’s December 13,” Mom said like that was an obvious answer.

And maybe it explained some of the tension I’d walked in on. I’d forgotten our family Christmas slumber party—and the kickoff to my mom’s crazy Twelve Days of Christmas. Tonight we were supposed to all get in pjs and watch theGrinchsteal Christmas, Kevin beHome Alone, and Buddy theElfnavigate New York City.

I groaned and rubbed my forehead. “Did I missElf?”

Mom sighed and sent me the look. “No, we saved it for after dinner in the hopes you’d finally show up. Much to the distress of the younger kids who won’t be up.”

“I’m sorry, guys. Today was the day from hell. I dropped a delivery, literally fell on my ass, and then had to do some extra runs since so many drivers called in sick. Which really means they’re on the slopes. I’ll make it up to the littles. You know I can’t watch too muchElf.”

“Maybe you should take it as a sign to devote more time to your job hunt and less time driving around rich assholes’ groceries,” Aspyn snarked.

“And how would that pay off my student loans? You know what those are, right?” I raised my eyebrows at my sister, knowing full well she didn’t go to college. She worked maybe one year as a receptionist at a resort before getting married and popping out babies, so now she stayed home with the kids. A job she loved and good for her, but I was so over her being all up in my business like she knew everything.

She glared at me. “Like you have that much debt. You went to community college for a few years, plus I know for a fact that Mom and Dad helped you pay for stuff.”

“Really? So why do I currently owe the US government twenty grand? Money they kinda want back, by the way.” After working and paying on my loans for three years, it felt like that number was never going to change.

“Girls, can wepleasehave one dinner when you’re not at each other’s throats?” Mom asked with that disappointed tone that always made me feel two inches tall.

“She started it,” I grumbled.

Aspyn glared at me from across the table but had enough manners not to respond.

For a few minutes, the only sound at the table was the scraping of our utensils on our plates and the Christmas music filtering in from the living room. A song about a lovelorn man wishing his ex a merry Christmas.

And that was when it hit me.

“Cole Jackson!” I suddenly yelled.

Everyone jumped then turned to give me confused looks.

“Yes,” Belle nodded slowly. “This is Cole Jackson. Gold star for you, December.”

I laughed and rolled my eyes. No way was I explaining that I’d met Cole Jackson today while I was flat on my back making snow angels in the wreckage of his groceries.

Or that he’d looked me over like he was interested in me.

But the knowledge did buoy my fragile ego.

Maybe today wasn’t the worst day ever after all.

Chapter 2

Of course the next day I was back at it. I’d left behind my slumbering family, literally tiptoed through my eight nieces and nephews sleeping in the living room. Really, I just wanted to avoid another run in with Aspyn. I’d make it up to the littles later today—if not today, for sure before the big day.

By noon I’d delivered more food than I’d ever thought possible. So many people didn’t want to go through the mundane task of grocery shopping. Which was good for me and my tips. I picked up my next small delivery, confused. A dozen roses from the local grocery store? That was different. And easy. My sore arms and aching back thanked my next client. But when I realized I was driving up a familiar slope, my heart thundered in my chest.

I knew this road.

I knew this driveway.

I was delivering flowers to Cole Jackson.

Oh god.

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