Page 16 of Christmas Shelter

"Do you want to come with me?" Patricia shoots and Carlota almost chokes on her own saliva. "My friends'hostel is amazing and if you like Christmas so much, it's the perfect getaway."

Carlota feels a heat that overwhelms her. She finds it hard to read Patricia, at times she's quite unpleasant and now she's inviting her to travel with her. There's no way she's going to embark on an adventure with a woman who makes her so nervous and who has mood swings that drive her crazy.

Chapter 12

When Patricia's mind repeats the words that just came out of her mouth, she can't believe what she just did. She looks at Carlota and the volunteer's face of absolute astonishment, and she wants to bang her head against the wall. She immediately feels stupid, and at the same time, a strange feeling mixing disappointment with insecurity at Carlota's lack of response invades her, making her search for the best way to rectify.

"I'm sorry, you probably have plans," she stammers, flustered, and seeks Coco's gaze as if he could help her out of this awkward situation she got herself into, "I don't know why I said that."

"But did you mean it?" Carlota finally reacts, her pulse racing so fast she feels her body could start bouncing at any moment.

"Uh, yes, of course," Patricia answers and frowns while trying to understand what the hell is going on in her head for her mouth to keep saying things she's not sure she ordered.

"In that case, I'd love to go with you. I wouldn't miss a few days in Gibraltar during Christmas for anything in the world," Carlota assures with such enthusiasm that Patricia's lips curve into a silly smile she can't control either.

"Well, great," she says and nervously runs her fingers through her hair.

"So what's the plan then?" Carlota asks, trying to identify if her urge to jump for joy is about the trip or because the trip is with Patricia.

"Well, I don't really have much planned, the only sure thing is that we'll sleep at my friends' hostel, other than that, we can improvise. Gibraltar is pretty small, so we have plenty of time in two days to see the markets and walk through its streets."

"I'm dying to go," Carlota claps. "Are you taking Coco?"

"I don't think so, I don't think it's a good idea to subject him to such a long trip or walk him among so many people like those in the Christmas markets, it would be too much stress for him now that he's adapting to his new life."

"I agree," Carlota concurs. "Have you thought about where you'll leave him? If you can't find anything, he could stay here, Vanesa will take care of him, and after all, he already knows this place."

"I appreciate it, but if possible, I don't want him to sleep here again. I'll talk to Aida, she already knows him and I'm sure she'll be happy to watch him. Besides, Coco liked Aida, right, Coco?"

Coco tilts his head when he looks at Patricia as if assessing his new owner's level of craziness. Carlota looks at her too, though she's not assessing her madness, but wondering if that friendship between Patricia and Aida includes any of those extra rights that friendly exes give each other while they remain single.

"You seem to get along very well," she says, trying to gather information.

Patricia looks up and nods, showing little interest in talking about her relationship with her ex-girlfriend.

"Yes, better than when we were together. Anyway, should we exchange numbers to finalize the trip details?" Patricia suggests.

An hour later, Patricia enters her house with Coco after finalizing the adoption and agreeing with Carlota that they'll call each other and meet to buy some things before leaving.

"What a mess I've gotten myself into, Coco," Patricia says, and the dog looks up, "and it's all your fault, if you hadn't shown up, this wouldn't have happened."

Coco completely ignores her and walks to his bowl to drink water. Patricia sighs, thinking she's losing her mind more and more, and picks up the phone to call Aida and ask her to watch the dog during the days she'll be in Gibraltar.

"Yes, of course, no problem," Aida says. "Do you want me to bring him to my house or would you prefer I stay at yours so we don't move him?"

"Well, I'd prefer the second option to avoid disturbing him too much," Patricia responds.

"Alright, but it'll cost you one of those potato omelets you make so well."

"You sell yourself cheap," Patricia smiles, and when Aida is about to drop one of her pearls of wisdom, she cuts her off, "wait, there's something I haven't told you."

"Something like what?" Aida perks up, sitting on her kitchen counter to listen to the gossip attentively.

"Carlota is coming with me on the trip."

Though Patricia can't see her, she knows exactly that Aida's right eyebrow just raised and she's smirking.

"What have I missed?"

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