Page 63 of Sleigh Bells and Snowstorms
“Don’t get the wrong idea. It’s not like he’s going to stay.”
“I’m not even worried about that. You never do anything for yourself. Have some fun. Make out with the hot guy and let him kiss all your boo-boos.”
I pressed the heels of my hands over my eyes. “Stop. And what are we going to do about my car?”
“Nope. We’re not discussing that tonight. Your date is coming over, and we’re going to have a nice evening.”
“But—”
“It’s not like you have to drive to work. See? Bright side.”
I let out a long breath. “Okay, I’ll face reality tomorrow.”
“Good. Do you need help getting up? We need to get you ready for your date.”
“It’s barely a date. I invited him to have pizza with my sister and niece.”
“I know, and the fact that he accepted makes me like him.” She held out her hands. “And you can still look cute. Even in pajamas.”
She helped me to my feet, and we went upstairs to get ready.
The three of us had matching Christmas pajamas from the previous year, but when I dug them out of my dresser, the tags were still attached. I held them up, feeling a sting of sadness. Like usual, I’d worked Christmas Eve, well into Christmas morning. When I’d come home, I must not have bothered with them.
The gray shirt had a festive Christmas tree on the front and red-and-black buffalo-plaid sleeves. The plaid pants were soft and matched the sleeves. I put them on, and for the first time that December, I felt a tiny spark of real holiday excitement.
My problems—and there were many—tried to crowd into my mind. The basement, the furnace, my job, my car. I didn’t know if we could afford to get a tree or what I was going to get Annabel for Christmas.
“It’s going to be okay,” I said quietly to myself. “We’ll figure out a way. We always do.”
It wasn’t in my nature to put my worries out of my mind—I wanted to jump into problem-solving mode—but Nina was right. A very hot man who was the world’s best kisser was coming over. I could put real life on hold for one night.
I contemplated dabbing on more makeup and doing something with my hair, but I didn’t have the energy. Besides, Jensen had seen me in the hospital, and I certainly hadn’t beenlooking my best. Grateful the airbag hadn’t deployed, and my face wasn’t bruised, I brushed the tangles out of my hair and put on some lip gloss. It would have to do.
Downstairs, Nina and Annabel were moving the lights and totes filled with decorations so they weren’t in the middle of the room. Christmas music played in the background, and Nina had set out paper plates on the dining table.
“Sit down,” Nina said, pointing at the couch. “We’ve got this.”
“It looks great in here.” Trying not to wince, I sat and tucked my legs under me.
She paused, resting her hands on her hips, and looked around. “No one is going to accuse us of having a pristine house, but at least it no longer looks like a bomb went off.”
A knock on the door made all of us freeze. Annabel’s eyes lit up with excitement.
“Don’t get up,” Nina said. “I’ll get it.”
Annabel scurried over while Nina answered the door.
“Welcome,” Nina said, stepping back.
“Hi, Mr. Jensen!” Annabel exclaimed.
He came inside, carrying two large Home Slice Pizza boxes with a grocery bag on top. His onesie pajamas were dark green with red-and-white candy canes. But he hadn’t stopped there. He topped it off with a Santa hat.
I was speechless.
“You look like Santa,” Annabel said.
“Do you like it?” He handed the pizzas to Nina and took something out of the bag. “I brought one for you.”
