Page 35 of Storybook Christmas

My smile glows. “I am? Really? I’m not sure I completed everything.”

Bertha shrugs. “Well, your final task was to make a fool out of yourself. And I gotta say, you earned an A+ there.”

“I did, didn’t I?” I pump a fist. “I mean, it was an accident, but Isaac Sutton even called it an ‘outburst.’”

“Oh, yeah? Extra credit for that!” Bertha applauds, and Finn joins in.

“And—just now—you completed your first task: doing something bold.” Bertha raises her eyebrows.

“By quitting,” I say, realizing it as I speak. “And I did that one on purpose.”

“Yes, you did,Grab Life by The BallsMaster.” Bertha stands. “Okay, my little kiddies. It’s Christmas Eve, and I’ve got a dinner to host for my poker group. I’m out like Elf on the Shelf.”

I stand and pull her into a hug. “Bye. Love you.”

She pinches my cheek. “Love you too, Lacy Hayes.” She puts a hand over her mouth. “Whoops, I don’t know where that came from. Freudian!”

“Subtle, Bertha,” I say.

“Yeah, I’m like an invisible cupid.” She flaps her hands. Then she gives Finn a quick hug before bustling out the door.

“Walk with me?” I say to Finn once she’s gone.

“I was actually going to invite you to walk with me—I have something I want you to see.”

“Okay.” I stand, curious as to what he wants to show me.

Once we’re strolling down the street, I say, “I’m sorry about last night. I was reeling from seeing Joshua engaged to Annabelle, but once I slept on it, I realized it wasn’t my heart that was hurt. It was my pride. It’s also taking me some time to adjust that my life’s not turning out how I thought it should. And that’s okay.”

Finn nods.

“I actually stopped loving Joshua a long time ago. Even before we broke up. It was just hard to let go.” I sigh as another weight lifts from my shoulders.

“I can’t say that I understand, because I haven’t been there myself, but six years is a long time, Lacy. You guys shared so much. It makes sense.”

My hands fidget as I meet Finn’s gaze and say, “You’ve changed me. You know, I didn’t even care when I didn’t win The Sutty? Because watching you get it made it worthwhile?”

His face brightens. “I did not know that.”

“You knock the competitive streak straight out of me. Because I’m just as happy when you win as myself. Maybe even more so.”

“So, what are you saying?”

“I’m saying you make me a better person.” My voice goes soft when I say, “I’m falling for you, Finn.” He goes to speak, but I put a hand up. “And I’m truly sorry for what I said about the stripping. I had no idea—”

“Why I was doing it?”

“Kind of, yeah.” I nod. “Motivation matters.”

“True.” He swallows hard. He looks into the distance, and when he returns his gaze, his eyes are dark, heavy. Finally, he says, “After college, Duke lined me up with a publishing job at one of the big four. But when Grams got diagnosed with post-polio syndrome, I decided to stay home with her. She was in pain, and she needed care. There was so much to figure out.”

“I’m so sorry. But I’m glad you were there for her.”

“Me too.” He smiles, but it’s forced, and I can tell by his tight jaw that he’s fighting to control his emotions. “Anyway, we got her post-polio to a stable place, which I was so grateful for. Except by then, the bills had piled up. Grams had a pension and insurance from being a retired principal, but with all the massive deductibles, it wasn’t enough.”

My heart feels like it’s in a grater, but at the same time, I’ve never admired someone so much as I do Finn right now. “I’m so sorry you both had to face that.”

“It was tough. I’m not gonna lie.” He exhales, like he’s releasing a little of the stress. Then the corners of his mouth tick up. “But Grams is stable, I’m making a dent in the bills, and I got some much-needed editorial experience at Sutton.” His smile grows. “And now, I can quit stripping. BluePrint Press said I can add my grandmother as a dependent on my health insurance to supplement the deductibles. So, starting January first, her bills are mostly covered.”

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