Page 5 of Not Like Christmas At All
Have anyone special you want to bring caroling?
Scrunching my nose, my fingers fly over the screen as I respond.
Did you put too much Baileys in your coffee this morning? Why would you think I have someone to bring?
The only romantic relationships I have are with Christmas flavors I can add to my coffee—peppermint, gingerbread, toasted marshmallow—and I love them all equally.
I don’t know, just checking! You know how Miller and I had a whirlwind romance. An overnight love affair can happen to you, too.
You’re the exception, not the rule, Miss Holly North.
Holly North was the pseudonym Zee created last Christmas when she decided to join a dating app to go on a few dates over the holidays. One of her dates was a cozy Christmas Eve dinner, with none other thanDoctor Hottie, which led to her meeting the love of her life, Lincoln’s cousin, Miller.
Oh my gosh!
You should do what I did!
I purse my lips, trying to decode what my best friend is encouraging me to do. Then, the lightbulb turns on at the same moment another text appears on my screen.
You should set up a SparksFly account.
No way.
With what time?I barely have time to eat and sleep, let alonedate.
Yes! It could be so good.
YOUR CHRISTMAS NAME COULD BE NOELLE WINTERS
Okay, stop. That’s actually kind of cute.
And believable.
Noelle Winters could totally be someone’s real name…then I realize where my thoughts have carried me. My fingers fly furiously over the keyboard, texting a response.
And do what exactly? I don’t have time to go on holidates, Zee!
No, but you have time to get a little holidick.
I chose the wrong time to take a drink of coffee, practically spitting it out as I laugh out loud.
My phone vibrates again.
Just do it. Nothing has to come of it, but it could be fun.
A huff of annoyance deflates my lungs, and for a few seconds, I simply stare at the message. Zee’s never been overly interested in my love life—never to the point of pushing me to meet someone. She knows I’ve been focused on myself and building my career.
Which brings me to my next question.
Where is this coming from?
Three dots show up at the bottom of our message, then disappear. It happens twice, then her text finally comes through.
Lincoln’s bringing a date to caroling.
The words across my screen cause a lump to form in my throat.
Lincoln’s bringing a date.
