Page 103 of Behind the Bars

“Good.”

“Well, I’ll see you,” he said as he started toleave.

“Wait, random question—do you have plans forChristmas?”

He shook his head. “We don’t really celebrate since Katie…” He stuffed his hands into his pockets. “Why?”

“Oh, well, I was thinking it might be nice to host a dinner and invite you all over. Ray is back in town, and I figure you, your mom, and TJ could comeover.”

“I normally have drinks with Jason on Christmas,” he explained. “It’s not really plans, but…he kind of makes me doit.”

“Oh, well, okay.” I shrugged. “I just thought I’dask.”

“Okay. Thanks?” he said it in the form of a question, and my heart flipped upsidedown.

“Yup. Thanks again for the coffee. I hope you have a great day.” I opened the frontdoor.

“Maybe he and his fiancée, Kelly, can cometoo?”

When I turned around, Elliott’s eyes were still on me, and in those eyes, I saw something I hadn’t seen from him since I’d been back in town—hope. “Of course. The more themerrier.”

“My mom will want to help cook,” he toldme.

I smirked. “Good, because I’ll need all the help I canget.”

“Whattime?”

“Um, how about noon?” Iasked.

Was he actually agreeing tocome?

“Sounds good. I’ll spread the word, and we’ll bethere.”

“Thanks, Eli.” I gave him a smile, and I wasn’t certain if he realized his slip-up, but he one hundred percent gave me a smileback.

* * *

“Snow, breathe.”Ray laughed as I moved through the apartment like a mad woman on Christmas Day. I kept setting and re-setting the dining room table—the napkins needed to be folded perfectly, and the silverware needed toshine.

“I just want everything to be perfect,” I told him, double-checking that all the food was in the right place for Laura to help me prepare themeal.

“It will be perfect,” he told me, standing on a small step ladder to re-hang the mistletoe that kept falling every other day. “It’s already perfect. Justbreathe.”

I complied, and when I released the breath, it caught in my throat as the doorbell rang. “Ohmygosh, they’re early! They weren’t supposed to be here until twelve!” I exclaimed, racing my hands through myhair.

Ray snickered and put the ladder away. “It’s eleven-fifty-three.” He walked over to me as I hurriedly removed my apron, revealing my black Christmas dress. His hands slammed against my shoulders, and he shook me gently. “Breathe.”

I let out a breath then rushed to the front door. As I opened it, I saw a smiling Laura pushing TJ in a wheelchair. “Merry Christmas!” She smiled brightly, wheeling TJ inside. Jason and Kelly followed right behind them, holding Tupperware containers in their hands. “Sorry we’reearly.”

“What? Are you? I didn’t even notice,” I replied, shrugging nonchalantly as Ray chuckled in thebackground.

“I brought spiked eggnog!” Jason exclaimed, his voice dripping withpride.

“Don’t drink that, unless you want to die a slow death,” Kellyjoked.

“Duly noted.” I smiled, glancing out the door. “Where’sElliott?”

“He’s just parking the car. The main road was pretty packed, so he drove around,” Lauraexplained.

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