Page 1 of Christmas Agreement
One
Katie Johnson
Though it was Christmas, and holiday cheer draped Majestic Falls, my heart was heavy as I left my part-time job atHard Candy Kisses. Seeing my crush, Rugar James, cozied up with another girl, just an hour ago, had deflated my spirits. I knew I had zero chance with him, but a girl could hope he’d look over and suddenly notice her.
With my hands shoved deep in my coat pockets, I turned toward my parents’ place as my boss locked the front door behind me. I skidded to a halt a moment later. Rugar stood in a beam of light, just a few feet away. My gaze flitted past him, and I noted no one else with him.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
“Waiting for you.”
“Why?” It wasn’t because he liked me the way I liked him. More likely, he was doing my brother, his best friend, a solid by escorting me. Which I didn’t need. Majestic Falls wasn’t exactly crime central, and my whole walk would be well-lit. The evening wasn’t even fully dark, anyway, and the quaint storefronts we passed were still swathed in twilight.
“Why not?”
“That’s illuminating,” I scoffed. “I thought you’d still be with Rebecca.”
He blinked at me as his brows drew together in confusion.
“Why?” he asked. This time, it was his tone full of confusion.
“You two looked…um, really close a little bit ago. No judgment. You do you and all.”
“Mostly, she was annoying me. She was only there because she’s Mandy’s friend. I’m not interested in her.” Mandy was my brother Kyle’s girlfriend and annoyedme. It tracked that her friend would be similar.
“That still doesn’t explain why you’re here.”
“Your mom invited me to dinner tonight.”
“Oh.” So not only was the escort a favor to my brother, but it was also an opportunity for a homemade dinner. Rugar, Kyle, and I had all grown up in Majestic Falls, but Rugar’s parents had moved away after he’d graduated from high school. Since then, wherever Kyle was, Rugar was, too. Really, if I were honest, it had been like that in high school, too. Which was hell on a girl with an unrequited crush.
And tonight was just one more night on a long list of disappointments.
On the flip side, I could bask in Rugar’s aura while we head to my parents’ house.
Wrapping my arms around my middle, I walked beside him. With each step the light snow seemed to crunch beneath myfeet, and I had to watch for slippery spots. That was the last thing I needed, to fall on my ass in front of Rugar.
My gaze wandered as I took in the town’s festive decorations and avoided looking at him. I knew he’d see my thoughts in my eyes, and God knew what he’d surmise from me ogling him. Couldn’t have that. My feelings and my attraction weremysecrets.
“Are you going to the caroling later?” he asked, breaking the silence as we neared the city square. The event was calledcarolingby the community, but really it was a Christmas Market with holiday foods, drinks, and craft vendors.
“I haven’t decided. Probably not. After dinner, I need to head back to my apartment. I almost begged off dinner because I have to finish a paper that’s due in my professor’s inbox by midnight tonight.”
“Yeah, that’s important. I should probably…read one of the books for next semester.”
Right… Rugar got good grades, but he wasn’t exactly one to get a head start on next year’s classes. More likely, he’d find some friends to hang with.
We descended back into silence, and I flitted my my gaze toward the shop windows as we passed, again studying his reflection in the glass and ignoring the displays inside. Rugar was so handsome, with dark eyes and hair. Models would pay for bone structure like his. I’d just like to explore it with my fingers.
Fisting my hands, I shoved them back into my coat pockets. Toward the end of the street, we turned onto Moose Run Roadand walked the half block to my parents’ house. I had my own apartment, but Friday was family dinner night.
“Hey, Mom! Rugar and I are here!” I yelled as we stepped inside.
“Hey, honey! Dinner will be ready in ten minutes. Some mail came for you.”
I glanced down at the envelopes on the console table. My brow furrowed at my name in fancy script across the top one.
Blowing out a breath, I slipped my nail beneath the flap to open it. What fresh hell was this?
