Page 104 of The Snuggle is Real
Ford winced at the language, but Charlie didn’t even blink, probably used to it.
“Let’s go inside where it’s warm. You want some hot chocolate?”
She scoffed. “No, thanks. I’ll take some coffee though. I’ve got a long drive ahead of me.”
“We can’t go tonight!” Charlie burst out.
LuAnne looked down at her. “Sure, we can, sweetie. You can sleep while I drive.”
“But it’s Christmas Eve,” Charlie said, sounding heartbroken. “We’ve got the Christmas tree all set up. And Mason’s here.”
“Mason?” She glanced at me.
“Hi.” I extended a hand to shake. “I’m Mason.”
“Hi,” she said, flicking a glance between me and Ford, clearly confused as to what my role might be.
Ford cleared his throat. “It’s late, Lu. You’ve got nowhere to rush off to if they changed the locks on your apartment. Just take a beat and figure out your next move.”
He was attempting to sound casual, but I could feel the tension radiating off his body.
She sighed. “I’ve got plenty of friends, Ford. I don’t need you to rescue me.”
“You’re staying tonight at least,” he said firmly. “Charlie needs to get to bed if Santa is gonna come.”
“I’ll take her,” I offered, figuring they could use a few minutes to talk alone. “We can read a bedtime story, Charlie. How’s that sound?”
“Good,” she said quickly.
We went into the house ahead of Ford and LuAnne. Charlie was eager to go to bed, and I wasn’t sure if she was excited for Christmas or just hoping that her mom would be less likely to insist on leaving once she was tucked in.
While she went into the bathroom to get ready, I drifted into the hallway, catching snatches of the conversation.
“…my decision.”
“You need time to get your shit together.”
“I’m sober?—”
“You’re in recovery,” he cut in. “Which means low stress, right? It’ll be a hell of a lot less stressful to stay here awhile.”
How long was a while? Did he mean for the holidays? Did he mean for the next month or…for good? He loved Charlie so much. He told me he wasn’t interested in reconciling with LuAnne, but if that was the price of keeping Charlie here and safe, would he change his mind?
The bathroom door opened, and I darted back into Charlie’s bedroom to tuck her in.
“Do you think she’ll make us leave first thing in the morning?”
“And miss out on presents and good food? No way.”
“I want to say goodbye to Peppermint Bark and Grandma Dottie and your mom and your brother and Ash.”
I smiled at her lengthy list. “We’ll make sure you do, okay? I know it’s hard when a decision isn’t in your hands.”
She nodded, eyes glassy. “I love my mom.”
“Of course you do,” I said, rubbing her arm.
“But…what if I don’t want to go?” she whispered, face scrunching up. Her big brown eyes filled with tears, and my heart squeezed hard in my chest.
