Page 16 of A Very Grumpy New Year

“So, you’re just going to take your time,” he says, and I nod.

“Exactly.”

“Okay, so maybe next New Year’s Eve you’ll tell her that you love her?”

I groan, scrubbing my hands down my face.

“Are you just going to keep sleeping with her for months before you tell her that you love her? What’s the plan here, man?”

“I don’t know. Don’t really have one,” I admit.

“Well, you need to come up with one pretty fast.”

We park outside of the Semper Fly offices and climb out of his truck. It’s starting to snow and I hope that Cora has made it to Olive’s house safely.

“What’s with the frown?” Kip asks me as he unlocks the doors.

“Cora’s car,” I bite out, and understanding dawns in his dark green eyes.

“Does it have snow tires?”

“I doubt it. It barely even works. The thing is falling apart.”

“Why don’t you text her and make sure that she made it to Olive’s place safe and sound,” he suggests.

“Good idea.”

Kip heads into his office, and I head across the hall to mine, pulling out my phone as I go. I find Cora’s name and start to type, hesitating before I hit send.

Huxley:Morning. Did you make it to Olive’s okay?

Crap.Should I have said something about last night? Should I have asked how she was?

Panic and doubt swirl inside of me, but it’s too late to change the message now.

Cora:Morning! Yep, we made it here and were busy decorating now! See you tonight! You’re still coming right?

Huxley: Yep

She hearts my message,and I relax. She seems normal. Not like she’s upset or anxious about last night. That has to be a good sign, right?

Unless she thinks that it was just a one-time thing and is trying to be normal now.

I groan and bury my face in my hands.

“Is this what I was like when I was chasing after Ginger?” Kip asks me, and I glare at him.

“You were so much worse,” I tell him, and he grins.

“It will be alright. She likes you too, or she wouldn’t have slept with you last night. It’s basically a done deal, man. You just need to tell her exactly how you feel and make the whole thing official.”

I nod, wanting to believe his words.

“You’re right. I’ll tell her tonight at the party.”

“Good. Then we can both go into the New Year with our women.”

I nod, and he switches topics and starts to talk about the schedule for January. We go over budgets, schedules, and maintenance lists. Soon enough, it’s time to head home and get ready for the party.

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