Page 116 of Holiday Friend Zones
We continue to celebrate as the crowd claps and cheers.I lower Lauren to her feet, every inch of her body evident against mine.
Janet Coleman, who works at Blooms and Claus, appears, beaming.“It’s so good to see you two together.You make a great team.”
Lauren loops her arm through mine, and before I can react, Mrs.Coleman leans down and whispers, not nearly quietly enough, “I like you much more than Julie.”
I half cough, half choke while Lauren snickers against my shoulder.
Since we drove separately, I walk her to her car.
“I had so much fun today,” she says as we stop beside it.Her breath curls white in the air.“Thank you for inviting me to be your partner.And all those comments…” She laughs softly.“You and me together.”Her bright blue eyes lift to mine.
“Yeah.”It comes out low, husky—if I tried to say anything else, it would beI want to kiss you right now.
Her tongue peeks out, wetting her bottom lip.My gaze drops, magnetized by her.I inch closer.Her breath hitches.She doesn’t back away.A car horn blares in the distance, snapping the moment like a dry twig.I blink, step back, and force my voice to remain even.“I’ll see you at home.”
“Oh.Okay.”Her eyes drop to the snow before she slides into her car.
I close her door gently and blow out a deep breath.That could have been… something.
The engine rumbles to life, and I step away, heading to my truck parked a few cars down.Once inside, I grip the steering wheel, trying to steady my pulse.What was I thinking?Kissing Lauren.Everything in me wanted to.But what happens after the kiss?I have a sinking feeling nothing would ever be the same.
FIVE
Finger Licking
Lauren
By the time we reach Eli’s cabin, he’s several steps ahead of me.The second we’re inside, he sets the Frozen Classic trophy on the counter and beelines it to the bathroom.I huff out a breath.Everything is awkward now.I slip off my boots and shrug out of my coat.I twist the deadbolt on the front door and go to my room, which isn’t even mine.The only thing I can claim as mine is the knot in my stomach.I flop onto the bed and stare at the ceiling.
What just happened?I was ninety-nine percent sure he was going to kiss me.His lips were centimeters away from mine.But at the last second, he pulled away.Did he deem me unkissable?Did I have bad breath?I couldn’t say no to garlic fries, but I popped a couple of mints afterward.I cup my hand, breathe, and sniff.There’s a faint memory of garlic, but nothing hazardous.
The bathroom door creaks open.Footsteps sound through the cabin and then stop.Then start again.But grow quieter and end with a soft click of a door.I blow out a deep breath.Climbing off the bed, I head to the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash the makeup off my face.Back in the bedroom, I change into my pajamas and crawl under the covers, which doesn’t help my cause as the pillow smells like him.Maybe he wanted to kiss me but thought better of it.That we’re friends and he doesn’t want to ruin our friendship.But would a kiss really do that?I don't know.I’ve never been in this position before.
For ten whole minutes, I spiral over theoretical Eli kisses.Is he soft and coaxing or rough and impatient?Does his tongue do a slow sweep or is it more like poking and prodding?Does he hold my cheeks or slide his fingers into my hair?Do I take the reins or does he?Too many questions.Exactly zero answers.And negative sleep.
The next morning, I’m at Sip and Sleigh facing life’s hardest question.Maple pumpkin or brown butter chai muffin?Life is short.Maybe I should get both.
“Well, that didn’t take long.”
I spin around so fast my scarf nearly chokes me.Julie—Eli’s ex—stands next to the pastry case, arms crossed, a glare sharp enough to cut ribbon.“Excuse me?”
“You and Eli.Didn’t take you long to snatch him up.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Everyone saw you two at the golf tournament.All that flirting?Please.He was supposed to go with me.”
Based on the venom in her tone, you’d think I’d stolen her puppy, not stood next to the man she dumped while he muttered sarcastic commentary about hole in ones.
Her eyes narrow.“And now you’re living with him.”
“Well, technically—yeah.But Eli and I are only friends.I’m staying with him because the pipes burst at my apartment.You know what?I don't owe you an explanation.”
Her once-sharp glare softens.“His house is decorated for Christmas.He never let me decorate.”
“Yep.I wanted to bring him some Christmas cheer.But I’ve got work to get back to.”I turn my attention to Sloane, the owner.“I’ll take a maple pumpkin muffin.Actually, make it two.I'll drop one off to Eli.”I flash Julie a cross between athis is awkward as fuckandplease don’t hatemesmile.
As I exit Sip and Sleigh, her gaze bores a hole into my back.What the hell is that all about?We’ve never been friends, but we’ve also never been enemies.She dated Eli; I minded my own business.A couple of polite hellos, a smile or two, maybe a halfhearted attempt at small talk before I realized she wasn’t interested.Fine.Some people just don’t click.Whatever theories she’s cooked up about Eli and me, they’re not my problem.He and I have always been close.Since middle school, he’s been my safe place, my best friend.Always has been.Always will be.
