Page 9 of A Very Grumpy New Year

“You shouldn’t be, I’m boring.”

“You could never be boring.”

Her blush darkens, and she clears her throat.

“I try to do resolutions every year. This year, my word was growth, and I just tried to learn a new skill and grow as a person and in my career. I think I did that.”

I nod and watch as she polishes off the last of her taco.

“Want another?” I ask, nodding at the two tacos on my plate.

“No, I’m good. I’m going to eat all of these chips and salsa, though. Fair warning to take more now if you want any.”

I laugh and grab my next taco.

“What other resolutions do you have for next year?” I ask her.

“I’m going to try to lose some weight, make more?—”

“Why?” I interrupt her.

“Why do I want to lose weight?” She asks with a frown.

“Yeah.”

“Well, to…lose weight… I mean, look at me.”

“I am. You look hot.”

Cora’s face flames red hot, and she stares at me in surprise.

“I…” she trails off and never finishes her sentence.

We finish lunch and head back out to my truck to make the drive home.

“Want to watch another movie?” I ask as we head inside.

“I need to do laundry and clean my room. Maybe later?”

“Sure. I’ll be around.”

She smiles and heads back to her room, and I watch her go. Maybe her cleaning up is a good thing. It gives me time to figure out how to show her that we would be perfect together.

Now I just need to figure out how exactly to do that.

FIVE

Cora

“Areyou going to Olive and Xavier’s New Year’s Eve party?” I ask Noelle as I fold my clothes and put them away in the dresser.

“No, I’m going to hang out with Ansel and just have a quiet night in,” she says and I can hear the smile in her voice.

“That sounds fun!”

“Yeah, it’s been nice having him back in town. I missed him.”

“I bet. Well, have fun. I’ll see you in the New Year!”

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