Page 102 of One of Them Girls

“I got it,” Daddy calls from the hall.

I hear the murmur of voices. Curious, I move closer, straining to hear.

“Hey, Jerry. Happy Holidays.”

Xavier. I would recognize his voice anywhere.

“Happy Holidays. What did you do to your arm, son?”

“Car accident. I’m okay though. I just wanted to drop this off for Cass. Can you make sure she gets it?”

“You can give it to her yourself. Cass, the doors for you.”

Rounding the corner, my heart catches in my chest.

I haven’t seen Xavier since the day at the hospital when he was hooked up to all the tubes and wires.

He looks much better now. His arm is in a cast as he holds it out to the side awkwardly. He has a box in his other arm, but other than that he looks good.

Then his eyes meet mine and I’m frozen.

Then he glances away, releasing me.

I let out the deep breath I was holding, revealing myself to them.

“What are you doing here?” I step closer to the door.

“Cass,” he breathes out. “How are you?”

I look behind me to see my dad still watching. I grab my jacket from the hook, ushering him outside.

“I’ll be right back, Dad.”

“Yeah, no problem. Maybe Xavier wants to stay for dinner?” Dad asks.

“Maybe. I’ll ask.” I shut the door behind me.

Xavier steps forward. “I won’t stay for dinner unless you want me to.”

I move past him, leading him closer to the car he must have rented since his was totaled.

“What are you here for? You shouldn’t be driving.”

He gives me a small smile. “I was cleared for driving. I just wanted to give you, your Christmas gift.”

“I don’t need anything.”

“I know, but I wanted to get you something.”

“I didn’t get you anything.”

“I don’t need anything.”

“Do you have an answer for everything?”

He laughs. “No.”

“Well, I don’t feel right accepting it from you.”

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