Page 16 of Not Like Christmas At All
I have no rationality when it comes to this. At least I’m aware of my idiocy though, right?
It’s seriously stupid.
Picking at a peppermint chunk with my spoon, I sigh. “I shouldn’t be this emotional over having to go to work, right?”
“It’s okay, Gennie, your feelings are valid.” My mom’s comforting voice slips around me as though she is here, embracing me while she strokes my hair. “However, this is the career you picked, and you were born for this job. Christmas can be celebrated any day of the year—in fact, we have no problem waiting until the twenty-sixth to uphold our traditions. The date on the calendar makes no difference in significance.”
“I know, Mom. Rationally, IknowI need to stop whining. I’m acting like a child.”
My mom chuckles. “You are, but I understand, my girl. Be happy you have a wonderful place to work with patients who value you as their nurse. Plus, you have so much celebrating ahead of you! With us, and then with your first holiday party at the hospital. Are you looking forward to it?”
Honestly, there’s a part of me that doesn’t even want to go. But I don’t tell my mother that.
The hospital’s annual Christmas party is being held in a ballroom at a swanky hotel in downtown San Diego. Based on the chatter I’ve heard from other nurses, it’s an amazing event. The board truly goes out of their way to give a show of appreciation for the staff who are able to attend. They host it the week between Christmas and New Year’s, rather than trying to cram it in before Christmas, and I’ve been told they do a great job at rotating who is scheduled to work that day.
“I don’t know, I may n?—”
“Don’t you dare finish that sentence. Youaregoing.” My sister, Briar, walks into the frame, cutting me off mid-word as she finishes it for me. Her beautiful face appears next to my mom’s on the small screen. “You’ve already picked out the dress, and you have the heels. All you need is a blowout and a little makeup, and you’re party ready.”
“Oh, is that all I need?” I sass back, knowing damn well she’s correct but refusing to acknowledge it. We went shopping a few weeks ago and picked out a beautiful chocolate-brown tulle dress I’m utterly obsessed with.
“Yes! That, and the confidence to walk in there like the badass bitch you are.”
A badass bitch walking inalone.
That’s the other thing I don’t love about the holiday party—I don’t have a date. Liam and I have already cut ties, quickly realizing a long distance flirtation doesn’t suit either of us. We left things on great terms, with promises to reach out if either ofus were ever in the other's vicinity. But I have no plans of visiting Northern California anytime soon, so while it’s a lovely notion, it’s not a realistic one.
“We’ll see. Maybe I’ll spend the evening wrapped in my fluffy robe, curled up on the couch with a bowl of popcorn, instead. Pebbles is the perfect date for a movie night.”
“Don’t you dare, Genesis! Your days of relaxation are saved for your days off work.”
“Technically, I’m not working if I’m going to the holiday party.” I raise my brows in defiance.
“You know what I mean.” Briar rolls her eyes, and I can see Mom’s attention flit between me and my sister, on standby to diffuse a potential argument.
I laugh, ready to shut this conversation down. My sister and I get along great until we don’t, then it’s like we’re teenagers all over again.
We stare at each other through the screen for several seconds before she relents and sighs deeply. “Do you want to go to a movie later? There’s a new romcom out I’ve been wanting to see.”
“As much as it pains me to say, I’m going to pass. I can feel the exhaustion deep in the marrow of my bones. All I want to do is go back to sleep.”
“Understandable. Well, we’ll see you tomorrow for sure. Are we sticking to tradition?”
“Why would we break it?” A jolt of anxiety spikes at the thought of another piece of my holiday ripped away.
“I don’t know! You can’t come on Christmas, so I just wanted to make sure our Christmas Eve tradition was still on.”
“That shouldn’t even be a question in your mind, B.”
“I am making lobster bisque this year,” Mom butts in. Picking up the phone, she stands and starts to walk away fromBriar. “And Auntie dropped off a fresh loaf of her sourdough this morning.”
“Then we’re going to caravan around and look at Christmas lights while drinking peppermint hot chocolate, right?” God, the more I speak, the more I sound like a child.
“Yes, Gennie, of course that is the plan. We will head to Candy Cane Lane, then go over to Kringle Court.”
Her words put me at ease. “Good. I like that plan.”
“It’s been the same plan your entire life.”
