Page 18 of Hostile for the Holidays

I’m currently walking to the tree farm to pick out a tree. With my family tied up with wedding planning, I’m taking it upon myself to decorate for the holidays, starting with the most important item. A real Christmas tree.

Does it make sense to walk to the tree farm, maybe not. But I’m counting on them having a delivery service.

I swing the axe in my hand. The one I grabbed from the garage, when I was sneaking out of the house so I wouldn’t come face to face with Daniel.

“I know what would make me feel better. If you came here.”

“Can’t. I’m on deadline.”

“You’re always on a deadline.”

“Most authors are. It’s kind of how this whole writing books thing goes.”

Pippa writes spicy romance novels. She’s the one that introduced me to romance audiobooks. They’re steamy and fun, and sometimes when I listen to her books, I have to pretend my best friend isn’t the author so I don’t feel weird about how turned on her descriptive sex scenes make me. Her career has taken off and now she’s attending signings and doing appearances all over the world. I’m super proud of her.

“It’s Christmas. You should take some time off,” I argue.

She sighs. “Maybe next year.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

“Say hi to Jass for me,” she says teasingly.

“Ugh, I will do no such thing. He already knows everything about my adolescent life. There’s no way I will let him infiltrate my adult one.”

Except, he already has. He’s my fake boyfriend now.

I end the video call with Pippa, and continue my walk toward the tree farm.

Suddenly, my phone buzzes and I’m hoping it’s a text from Pippa telling me she’s booked a flight. It’s not. It’s the devil himself.

Hey, Sparky. How are you feeling today?

Never better

Glad to hear that I nursed you back to health

That’s not what happened

It must have been my unreasonably handsome nose that did it

Lose my number

How would we arrange fake dates?

I’m going to change my mind about this whole thing

I’ll stop by your house later

Please don’t

I drop my phone in my pocket and keep walking.

I didn’t imagine I’d be headed to pick out my family’s Christmas tree alone but that’s okay. I’m used to taking charge and getting things done. So, I’ll pick out a tree and have it delivered. Everything will be fine.

Only it’s not just having the tree, but sharing the experience of picking it out then taking it home to decorate it. The laughter and the reminiscing about the ornaments while we decorate.

That’s going to be the part I miss.

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