Page 27 of My Secret Snowflake
“Thank you guys so much.” I blink back a stray tear. I’m touched by everyone’s willingness to pitch in. I knew they would, but I’ve missed being with them—and this cozy feeling.
“Faith is going to be thrilled,” I say. “She’s obsessed with Booktube. I’m getting her an embosser with a “Read by Faith” stamp from Etsy for Christmas.”
Rupert’s head picks up. “Do you have one of those, Lily?”
“No. That’s a great gift for a bookworm,” Lily says.
I glance at Sebastian. “Yes, if only my Secret Snowflake was a bookworm too.”
“Didn’t you like the socks Rupert gave you, Lily?” Sebastian asks.
“I love them. They’re very cozy. I’m wearing them right now,” Lily says.
Sebastian smirks at me. I tip my head in acknowledgment. Point for him. I take another bite of my chicken stew.
“That kiss… Is there something between you two?” Maddie whispers.
I nearly choke on my food. Uh-oh. There’s a reason Maddie is such a good reporter.
I shake my head.
She gives me a disbelieving glance, her eyebrows raised.
“Your stew is going to get cold,” I say to her.
Dad’s stew is good enough to distract anyone, even a reporter like Maddie. The conversation turns to everybody’s favorite December activities, like Lily’s cookie party. Most of us avoid the Rockefeller Center area like the plague because it’s so crowded with tourists.
Zeke whispers something to Sebastian—while glancing at me—and Sebastian shakes his head. I miss whatever is being discussed about this year’s shop windows.
“The trick is to go early,” Maddie is saying.
There’s barely anything left of the stew, which pleases my dad to no end. He loves it when people devour his cooking.
“Should I clear the tables for dancing?” my dad asks.
As we stand to clear the dishes, Sebastian thanks my dad for dinner and says he has to go.
“I promised my mom I’d watch a movie with her tonight,” he says. He doesn’t even look my way as he says this.
Another guy tied to his mom? Interesting.
“See?” I whisper to Maddie. “Nothing is going on.”
“Except that he came all the way down here—and your dad’s food is good, but I’m sure his mom would’ve served him dinner,” Maddie says.
Fair point.
“Isn’t he the one who loves being single? I think he’s running now because he’s scared,” Maddie says, her head tilted. “Under the mistletoe, he was definitely looking at you like he wanted something more than a kiss on the cheek.”
Chapter seven
Iris
Myphonebeeps.
Maddie:I still think there could be something between you two.
So much for Maddie believing me last night when I said I’d sworn off types like Sebastian.
