Page 80 of Mistletoe Kisses

* * *

While riding the high from a great conversation with my mom, I wanted to call Keaton. Of everyone, I was most nervous about telling him my decision, even though I knew he would support me without hesitation. Telling Keaton made it real.

We’d been roommates for so long that it was almost impossible to remember what it was like to live without him. Continuing as roommates would be easy, maybe too easy. I shouldn’t spend the rest of my life making Keaton the bulk of my social life. I needed to spread my wings, and so did he. I had to stop being scared that any change to our relationship meant the destruction of it. We were practically brothers, and we would still be best friends, even living apart.

I called him before I lost my nerve.

When he answered, I heard people talking in the background. “Hey! Perfect timing. I just dropped my rental car off at the airport and am waiting for the shuttle. What are you up to? At the airport?” There was something off about his voice. Melancholy lurked under his usual cheer.

“No.” I blew out a breath and rubbed my thigh with my free hand.

“What’s wrong?” Keaton’s voice grew concerned.

“I want to stay in Dahlia Springs. I don’t want to go back to Minnesota.”

“Fuck yeah! You serious?”

A laugh bubbled out of me. “I am. Do you think it’s ridiculous?”

“Surprising? Sure. Ridiculous? Not at all. It’s not like you threw a dart at a globe and moved to a random place. You have family there and, from the sound of it, a pretty great guy you could get to know better. I think this is a fabulous idea.”

I let out a long breath. “I’m so relieved to hear you say that.”

“Aww, did you think I’d be upset?”

I leaned my head back against the headboard. “No, but I’m nervous about what my moving will mean for our friendship.”

“Babe, the fact that you’re even bringing it up for us to talk about makes me not worried at all. That town has been good for you. Do you realize how big this is? You’re making a major life decision and welcoming new people into your life. This is huge! We’ll be besties forever. Like, I’m not worried about us at all. Sure, we’ll have to change how we spend time together, but we’ll figure it out.”

I twisted the sheet between my fingers. “You always know exactly what to say to me. Thanks, Keat. How about you? How did things go in Arizona?”

“Great. I can’t believe I’m saying that, but great. It’s a wonderful little town full of interesting people.” Despite the strain in his voice, he sounded genuine. I suspected he liked the town and a certain Airbnb host more than he was willing to admit.

“Why are you at the airport then?”

“Because that’s where the airplanes are?”

“Har-har. If you like it there, why not stay a while?”

“Because Mom will kill me if I don’t come home for Christmas. What would I do here anyway? I don’t fit in.” I wanted to crawl through the phone and hug him. He’d sounded happier on his trip than I’d heard him in months, if not longer.

I clucked my tongue. “That’s not what it sounds like to me. You’ve been happy the past two weeks. Maybe some distance from your family could be good for you.”

“Who are you and what did you do with my best friend? This new confidence suits you.”

I laughed. “Nice attempt at a redirect. We’re talking about you.”

“I’ll think about it over Christmas. I need to be there for my share of Mom’s cookies. Don’t worry. I’ll work my shit out.”

“I’m not. You always do. Eat some cookies for me? I can’t believe I’m not going to get any.”

Keaton laughed. “I’m sure she’ll mail you some. What are you doing for Christmas? Other than Lucas, obviously.”

I laughed. “We haven’t talked about it yet. My uncle and grandma invited me over, but I don’t know. I’m sure Lucas will invite me to hang out with his family too.”

“Look at you all in demand. I like this for you. Arlo in Oregon has a good ring to it.”

“Keaton in Arizona does too.”

---