Page 30 of Oh No, My Best Friend Hates Christmas!

Is it too much to ask for him to love Christmas?

Is it too much to ask for him to loveme?

Chapter Ten

Baz releases his hold on me and pulls back. I resist for a moment, then remember that I am an adult woman who can look her best friend in the eye when he rejects her. It’s the respectful thing to do.

Ignoring the tears threatening to fall, I turn my eyes to meet warm, molten chocolate. A callused finger drags beneath my eyelashes to steal away the wetness gathered there.

“I don’t hate Christmas,” he says, eyes roving over my face. “Why would you think a silly thing like that?”

I blink. Why would I…

“Because of the… because you… You hate sledding! And gift shopping. And the Santa hats. And, like, everything else?”

What is he even talking about?

“Baby, I don’t like sledding because the way you like to sled would terrify an adrenaline junkie. The mall at Christmastime is objectively the worst place on earth. Everyone knows that. And the Santa hats make my hair staticky and gross. I don’t know what else it is you think I hate, but I can assure you that I don’thateanything. Do I dislike some aspects of the season? Yeah, sure. Hate, though? No.”

“But you ate the elf’s head!” I protest. Not that Iwanthim to hate Christmas, but there’s no way have I been making this up all these years. A man who likes Christmas doesn’t just gnaw off an elf’s noggin like it’s nothing.

His head shakes, mouth puckering in a clear effort to fend off a smile. My eyes narrow.

“I’ve seen those same elves every year for the last thirty-six years. I am immune to the cuteness of the elves when I knowvery well what lies beneath those adorable little faces.”

I open my mouth, then close it. I guess he has a point. Except…

“Has Rosie been giving you those elves since I’ve been here?” I ask. “I’ve never had them before! Is she holding out on me?” Why would she do that? I thought she loved me!

Basil loses his fight with mirth, deep laughter bursting free. I forget my pique immediately. I forget everything I’ve ever felt or known.

Baz is laughing.

He’slaughing.

Be respectful, Heidi.

Do not jump the large, beautiful man, Heidi.

Berespectful.

And I am respectful, all the way up until the point when he grabs me, squishing me to him while his laughter fizzles out. The echoes of it vibrate through me, setting my insides on fire and making me squirm.

This is so not good.

He looks down at me and smiles, big and bright.

Yeah.

This issonot good.

“She hasn’t made them for you yet because every other year you’ve abandoned me to visit family. You leave me here, sad and alone, and Mum makes the elves to cheer me up. It doesn’t work, but the effort is always sweet. Pure mum.”

Abandon…

“I don’t abandon you!” I protest. His eyes roll.

“The only reason you’re here right now is because your parents went on a cruise this year. Otherwise you’d be gone half of December – like you are every year – leaving me to suffer without you.”

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