Page 17 of A Very Grumpy New Year

“Want me to drive you over there?” Kip asks as he pulls up outside of my place.

“Yeah. That way I can drive Cora home and make sure that she gets here in one piece.”

“Alright, I’ll swing back here in half an hour.”

“Thanks. See you soon.”

I hurry inside and take another shower, trying to calm down and go over what I want to say to Cora. I pull on a dark green wool sweater and a fresh pair of jeans and then head back downstairs. I know that Kip will be here any minute, and I glance at my phone. No new messages from Cora.

As if my thoughts have conjured her, her name flashes on my screen.

Cora:On your way?

Huxley: About to be. Do you need anything from the house or in town?

Cora: Maybe a light sweater? My pink one. It should be hanging up in my closet.

Huxley: Got it. I’ll see you soon.

I jogupstairs and grab her sweater. My eyes stray to the messy bed, and I wonder if I should have made it or changed the sheets for her.

Huxley:Do you want me to make your bed?

Cora: ?

Huxley: Never mind.

A car horn honks outside,and I rush downstairs and out to Kip’s truck.

“Ready to party?” He asks me, and I nod.

We make the short drive to Olive’s house, and Kip parks on the dirt road behind all of the other cars and trucks.

“Did they invite the whole town?” I ask, and Kip laughs.

“Practically. I mean, between the whole Baker family and all of their friends,” he says, and I nod.

We head inside, and I scan the crowded house for my girl. My eyes spot her by the kitchen and I take a deep breath as I make my way over to her.

It’s time to make this official.

I hope.

SEVEN

Cora

Huxley beelines for me,and I bite back a smile as I watch him make his way through the crowd towards me. He stops right in front of me, and I crane my head back to maintain eye contact with him.

“Here,” he says, handing me my sweater, and I smile up at him as I slip it on.

“Thanks.”

“We should?—”

“Are you hungry?” I ask at the same time.

I laugh, and some of the tension between us seems to fade.

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