Page 13 of The Bookworm Who Stole Christmas
“And I like it that way,” I reply, signaling the waitressfor another round to drown out the godawful Christmas music playing in the background.
Why I thought it would be a good idea to come here, I’ll never know.
Thank god there’s only another twenty days to go, and then it’s all over for another year.
Zoey looks at me, her eyes narrowing. “Stop trying to get out of it.”
“Out of what?” I ask, slowly lowering my glass.
“What’s bothering you? You’re a hermit, Mads. You don’t go out, yet here you are… in a bar, on a school night.” She crosses her arms, an eyebrow quirked.
I sigh, not liking where her line of questioning is going. “I wanted a drink. Nothing wrong with that.”
“Maddie,” she says on a sigh, “I want to be your friend. Let me help you. Something’s wrong and I’m not going to stop until you tell me.”
“There isn’t anything wrong.”
“Yes, there is. Spill it.”
“Are you always this intrusive, or is it just with me?” I retort, rolling my eyes playfully.
She smiles, one of pure delight. “Oh, I’m like this with everyone. It’s just more fun with you.”
“Thanks?”
Why do I have the sudden urge to tell Zoey everything? Is that what friends do? I’ve kept everything so close to my chest for so long, I don’t know what’s normal and what isn’t anymore.
The waitress arrives, bringing new drinks, and I take mine from her, gulping down half of it in one go before blurting, “Parker Grayson is trying to change my mind about Christmas.”
Zoey claps her hands with a squeal. “Iknewsomething was going on.”
I look at her, confused. “You did? How?”
“Oh, not with Parker” —she waves her hand in dismissal— “I meant you. But he is one fine specimen of a man,” she says dreamily, her mind clearly wandering. “You’re going to upset a lot of people with that one. His daughter is a little sweetie, too.”
“Nothing is going on,” I sigh, rubbing my head from the headache forming. “He’s just…” I stop, not sure what else to say.
“He’s just what?” Zoey asks, leaning her elbows on the table and placing her head in her hands like she’s just about to hear the juiciest bit of gossip. And coming from me? It’ll be the best she’s ever heard.
Why is this so hard to say?
“He’s making me feel… things. Things I’ve tried so hard to keep under lock and key. The worst part is that I’ve only had a couple of encounters with him… it's weird. Surely I shouldn’t feel this way?” I ramble, keeping my gaze firmly on anything other than Zoey. “It took memonthsto get even remotely comfortable with ex-boyfriends in the past, and even then, I couldn’t be bothered with them. Everything was such a chore, but with Parker… it's not.” I finish my rant and glance at Zoey, who’s looking at me with wide eyes. “Oh, shit. It’s weird, isn’t it? I knew it was,” I groan.
“No, Maddie. It’s not weird,” she rushes to reassure me. “I mean, I’ve never experienced it personally, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen.” She gives me a warm smile before adding, “I must say, though, I’m loving this new ‘open’ Maddie. I approve.”
“Shut up,” I laugh, shoving her gently. “But seriously, why do I feel like this? Is somethingwrong with me?”
“Oh, hon. It’s a good thing. It’s about time you let those walls around you down,” she says gently, placing a hand on my arm.
It takes me a few minutes to force the words around the lump formed in my throat. “I don’t know if I can,” I whisper.
“You won’t know unless you try. He’s a good guy, Maddie.”
I glance up at her. “Aren’t they all in the beginning?”
“Some, yes, but not all. You need to stop hiding and start living your life. I don’t know much, but I do know you’ve been hurt. Maybe start as friends? Hang out? See how you feel?”
I nod. “I’ll think about it.”
