Page 28 of That Time We Kissed Under the Mistletoe
“Always, dear.” Her eyes soften. “You’re our perfect little?—”
“I know, Mom.”
I square my shoulders and dredge up a smile even as a familiar wave of pressure crests in me. Each year, on my birthday, my dad insists on recounting the story of his perfect little angel toeveryone at the fundraising gala. As the legend goes, he and my mom had tried for ten years to have a baby, and after more than a decade of unsuccessful attempts, they’d finally wrapped their hearts around adopting. They were about to start the process when my mom discovered she was pregnant.
With me.
So I’m a miracle baby. Their only child. The long-awaited answer to years of prayer. And for better or worse, I carry the weight of that role on my shoulders, whether they’re aware of the heaviness or not.
“Call me when you have some news,” my mom says. “I’ll try to be patient this time. Hopefully we’ll have even more to celebrate this year on Christmas Eve.”
“I can’t wait.” I gulp down the swell of emotion in my throat. “I miss you, Mom.”
“Well, you’ll be home soon. And in the meantime”—she hoists a brow—“steer clear of those bears.”
Chapter Twelve
Sara
Thirteen Years Ago: July
I had the best time at the 4th of July carnival today, especially on the Ferris wheel with Three. Ford kept cat-calling from the seat behind us, and now I can’t stop thinking this means Three likes me.
Ford wouldn’t be teasing him if he didn’t, right? Still, it’s probably stupid to get my hopes up. For one thing, I’ve only known Three a few weeks. For another, we’re leaving in August. So even if I can convince my parents to come back next summer, I won’t see him again for the rest of the year.I’ll be stuck at a stupid all-girls school.
Speaking of which, all the girls in Abieville like Three—and I do mean ALL. And I don’t blame a single one of them.
He’s sweet and fun and hilarious and—let’s be real—he’s super-hot. So this town is full of serious female competition, and they get to live here with him year-round. So what if I put myself out there and he rejects me? Is it crazy that I already feel like that might be a little crushing?
Yes, Sara. That’s crazy.
Anyway, I guess it doesn’t matter what Three thinks about me or if he ends up with some other girl, because—as my dad’s always reminding me—I’ve got big plans after high school, which means this thing I’m feeling for Three can’t go anywhere beyond friendship. Still, friends aren’t nothing. Friends can be great.
And I have a really good one here in Abieville.
Chapter Thirteen
Three
“What are you doing out here?” Sara calls to me from the porch. Guess she’s finally done talking to her mother. Meanwhile, I’ve been wearing a path in the snow between the house and the row of trees separating the property from the lake. My insides are in knots, and my dumb brain’s broken. I keep playing Sarah’s protest on a loop.
I want this all over with as much as you do, Mom.
So, yeah. Okay. Sara and Iwere never meant to be together. This isn’t new news. It’s a ten-year-old fact. But I don’t have to like that fact.
Truth is, I hate it.
“Get in the house, mister.” Sara’s tone is stern, but she bites back a smile, and the cinching in my gut automatically loosens. Man, I wish she didn’t have that effect on me. She’s standing in the open doorway wearing thin pajamas and pink fuzzy slippers. They’re adorable.She’sadorable. But I can’t think this woman’s adorable. Not when she’s got one foot out the door.
Literally.
“Are you coming inside, or what?” Sara crosses her arms.
“Yeah. Nope, thanks.”
“I’m the boss of you, remember? We’ve still got a couple hours to kill before the evaluation, and you need to rest.”
“Not interested.” I resume my pacing like a caged animal. A caged animal who happens to be out in the open in the Adirondacks.
