Page 124 of The Unhinged Christmas of a Cat Lady
Just looks at me.
And then that smile—the real one, the one that starts in her eyes and takes over everything—breaks across her face like morning light.
“Good,” she whispers, eyes suddenly glassy. “Because I think I love you too.”
And just like that, I'm gone all over again.
Auld Lang Sigh
Epilogue
Miranda
Ben and Amelia’s living room is glowing: part fairy lights, part prosecco, part unhinged festive energy. The decorations are starting to sag, Coop’s wearing a crown as if he rules over all of us, and someone left a wheel of Brie dangerously close to the edge of the coffee table. It’s all very us.
To pass the time until midnight, we’re playingTwo Truths and a Lie, which has somehow turned into both a game and an informal background check.
Lizzie’s turn.
“I once went on a date with a man who brought his own salad dressing,” she announces, swirling her wine. “I was an extra in a Wyclef Jean music video. And I can recite every single word ofLove Actually.”
Jasper, next to me on the sofa, raises an eyebrow. “Sorry—what?”
“She’s serious,” I whisper.
He blinks. “I—okay. That’s… a strong opener.”
“I want the music video to be true,” Fi says.
“It feels true,” Bri adds.
“TheLove Actuallyone is definitely true,” Amelia says. “She once did the airport scene in full.”
“Look, I was performing,” Lizzie protests.
Jasper looks around. “Is this a support group or a cult?”
“It’s both,” I say sweetly, nudging his knee with mine.
“The lie,” Lizzie declares, “is the music video. Sadly. Although if Wyclef ever calls…”
Groans. Laughter. A round of “Of course it was the salad dressing guy!” and “You had terrible taste in men before Coop, Lizzie.”
Jasper leans towards me, his arm brushing mine. “I am both terrified and fascinated by your friends.”
“You’ll get used to it.”
He gives me a sideways look. “Will I survive it?”
“If my love for gay porn didn’t scare you off, nothing will.”
He grins. “Fair point.”
A few rounds later, it’s my turn. The room quiets down in that way it does when people think you’re going to embarrass yourself and they want front-row seats.
I clear my throat. “Okay. One: I once got stuck in a changing room trying to take off a sports bra. Two: I nearly threw up on Prince Harry. Three: I just bought unicorn underwear.”
Jasper glances at me. “Oh no.”
