Page 139 of Pretend You Love Me
She’s not going to tell me, but I ask anyway. “What did you want to say to me?”
She rubs her neck nervously. “It’s nothing. We’ll talk about it later.”
Before I have a chance to argue with her, she turns and disappears up the stairs and into the darkness of the hallway above.
Chapter Forty
Brooklyn
“Merry Christmas.” He’s standing at the bottom of the steps. I’m not sure if he’s waiting for me or if this is just a coincidence.
“Merry Christmas. Nice pajamas.” I smile as I look at his outfit. Christmas llama pants and matching top.
He looks down. “Will gave them to me. He said they were required.”
I wave my hand in front of my matching pair. “They are.”
“Why llamas? I noticed all of you have been wearing Christmas llama stuff all week.”
I smirk. “I can’t tell. It’s an inside joke.”
His brows arch. “I didn’t really care before, but now I’m really curious.”
I start to walk toward the kitchen. He’s trailing behind me.
“I can’t tell you.” I turn my head to look at him over my shoulder. “I’m really good at keeping secrets.”
“Is that right?”
He has no idea.
We’re almost to the kitchen when a wave of nausea hits me.
“Great,” I mutter. I’m trying unsuccessfully just to breathe through my mouth.
“What’s wrong?” he asks.
“Oh, it just smells like bacon in here, and I’m not eating meat right now.” It doesn’t just smell like bacon to me. It smells like we’re swimming in a pool of bacon grease while floating on bacon strips. My stomach turns.
“Be right back.” I call over my shoulder as I head to the bathroom to throw up. Thankfully, he’s not waiting right outside the door this time when I come out.
“Merry Christmas!” Juno calls when she sees me walk into the kitchen. I smile and look around. Everyone is packed together, wearing their matching pajamas. I love Christmas. I love being with all of them every year at the cabin. I love...oh, god, I have to stop, or I’m going to start bawling like a baby. I blink back tears.
Pull it together.
Zadie walks over to me with a plate and whispers. “I made you some plain pancakes. Think you can eat them?”
“I’ll try.” I take the plate and find a place to sit. By some Christmas miracle, the pancakes go down fine and seem to settle my stomach.
James calls everyone into the living room. When I walk into the room, my jaw drops. It’s like Santa’s workshop has exploded in here. I don’t know why I’m surprised - he does this every year, but somehow he manages to top himself year after year. James takes his role as Santa very seriously. I walk over to him and give him a hug. Things have been tense between us this year, but I love him more than words can express, and I need him to know it.
“What’s this for?” he says, pulling back. He looks worried.
“Nothing. I just wanted to tell you how much I love you.”
He smiles and kisses my cheek. “I love you too.”
I catch Kip watching us out of the corner of my eye, but I cut my eyes away quickly and instead busy myself passing out stockings and gifts.
