Page 87 of Scrooged for the Holidays
Josh reaches out his hand, and one of his friends steps forward, handing him a box. He opens it up to reveal a glittering diamond ring that has everyone in the room gasping again. Greer, however, keeps her lips pressed tight together.
“Let’s live a long life together and build a family of our own. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
A tear slides down Avery’s cheek, and for a brief moment, she glances at her parents. They’re holding hands, watching this pivotal moment in their daughter’s life. She gives them a watery smile before her gaze shifts to Greer’s parents. The smile falters, just slightly, and I know exactly what she’s thinking—that this moment is missing something. Or rather, someone. Someone who is here but not.
“My parents are getting what they always wanted,” Greer says as we wait for Avery’s answer. The pain in her voice is evident, and I nearly pull her into my side to comfort her.
“What do you think that is?” I ask.
“A daughter who gives them all the things they dreamed for me.”
“You’re their daughter, love.”
She laughs airily, but the sound is cut off by Josh’s voice. “What do you say, baby? Will you marry me?”
Avery’s full smile returns, the answer written on her face before she says it. “Yes!”
The room erupts in cheers as Josh slips the ring on Avery’s finger before he stands to kiss her. The whoops grow louder, and someone turns the music up, the unmistakable soundof champagne popping in the background from one of their friends who must have come prepared.
“She looks happy.” Greer’s declaration turns my focus to her.
Conflict flickers across her features. I see the part that wants to be happy for her friend and another part that doesn’t, the part that wants to keep thinking of Avery as someone she’ll never be instead of a friend who has always been there for her and refuses to leave her side despite every harsh or uncouth thing she has done to her.
“She is,” I say back.
“What next?”
I know Greer wants to leave, but we’re not done here yet. I gesture for her to step forward. Avery and Josh are making the rounds, getting hugs and congratulations from her loved ones. To my surprise, Greer moves without a fight, and I place my hand on her lower back. I probably shouldn’t be touching her, but I can’t stop myself. Greer needs to feel grounded, as if someone is in her corner. I can be that for her.
“Here,” I say, stopping us close to her parents and Avery. I press my hand heavier on her back as her dad opens his arms to the younger woman.
“I’m so happy for you, Avery,” he says warmly, looking at her now-fiancé. “You, too, Josh.”
“Thank you, Mr. Mallory,” she answers, pulling back to give Greer’s mom a hug, then Josh does the same. When they’re done, Greer’s mom nods at her hand.
“Can I see the ring?” she asks.
“Of course,” Avery holds out her left hand, and the older woman takes it. She grips it tight and stares for a long moment, lips now pursed into a tight line that reminds me a lot of Greer. When she looks back up at Avery, clear tears are in her eyes.
“I know,” Avery says, reaching to enclose Greer’s mom’s hand with both of hers. “I wish she was here for this, too.”
“Who?” Josh asks, his tone aloof.
“You know who,” Avery says.
“Greer?”
Greer stiffens beside me at the sound of her name.
“Yes, who else?” Avery asks.
“I don’t see why. It’s not like she would care. I don’t even think she likes me.”
“She does.”
“You’re always standing up for her when she wouldn’t do the same for you.”
“Josh,” she warns, giving him the side-eye, a reminder that these are Greer’s parents standing in front of them. He sighs before he leans over to kiss her cheek. “I’m going to go talk to my parents.”
