Page 124 of Holiday Friend Zones
I smile back, lifting a box filled with Christmas stockings.“Happy to help.Let’s move your stuff.”
If this saves Lauren from one more fire, it’s worth it.
EIGHT
Fuck and Run
Lauren
Iwake up to Eli’s arm heavy across my waist, his breath warm against the back of my neck, and the steady rise and fall of his chest lulls me back to sleep.My brain should be panicking because holy hell, we had sex last night.But instead, all I can think is how good it feels to be cocooned in him.Safe.Wanted.Home.I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to memorize every detail.Him pushing inside me, careful as if I were delicate.The way his stubble scratched lightly against my neck as he kissed me below the ear makes my insides melt.
My ex always made me feel like I was too much, too loud, too organized, too everything.But here, tangled up with Eli, I don’t feel like too much.I feel… enough.More than enough.
He shifts, his nose brushing against my hair.“I have to get ready for work, but I’ll see you tonight.There’s something I want to talk to you about.”
“Okay.”I press my lips to his.Us.He wants to talk about us.A smile flirts on my lips as I drift back to sleep.
A couple hours later when I arrive at the office, I brace for the slew of nastygrams in my email from Mrs.Hayes.But nothing.No flashing light on my desk phone telling me I have a voicemail.I don't know what finally changed her mind, but go me.Mid-morning, I go to the festival grounds, and I learn Eli swooped in and saved the day by swapping booths with Mrs.Hayes.She even looks downright pleased about her new location.Knowing that problem is solved, I move on to the cookie decorating booth.I string garland around the edges, but my focus is on Eli.Everything about being with him just felt right.I can’t explain it.But it was like he was the only one I was meant to be snuggling with.And god, the sex with him was… beyond phenomenal.I forgot my own name at one point.He knew exactly where to put his hands, the perfect pressure, the right tempo—like he knows my body better than I do.And he’s not even my boyfriend.He’s my best friend.My best friend who I want to climb like a Christmas tree again.Maybe that’s what he wants to talk about tonight.
By the time I get home, my nerves are shredded.All day, I ran scenarios through my head about Eli wanting to only be friends.Or more than friends.Friends who only have sex.I need a distraction, so I turn on the lights for all the Christmas decorations.The tree sparkles to life, and my gaze wanders over all the symmetrically placed ornaments.I feel like a jerk about banishing his moose ornament.This is his house, and he graciously let me not only stay here, but decorate.I stroll into the spare room, pluck the ornament from the tree on his desk, and hook it around a branch on the living room tree.Front and center.
I go into the kitchen and do some holiday baking.When I’m done, I wipe the crumbs off the counter, and the rag snags a stack of mail and sends the letters scattering across the floor.I huff, scoop everything back up, and that’s when I see it.A folded, white letter with Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation printed at the top.My gaze drifts down.
Congratulations, Mr.Walker.We’d be thrilled to have you join our team.
The words blur.Montana.He’s leaving.A heavy weight slams into my stomach.He slept with me knowing he was leaving.He kissed me.Touched me, knowing he’d run.
I spend the next two hours sitting on the couch.The letter unfolded next to me.The front door creaks open, and Eli steps through.
“It smells amazing in here,” Eli says, shaking snow from his hair.“Apple cinnamon?”His smile is easy until he sees my face.“What’s wrong?”
I hold up the letter like Exhibit A.My voice is sharper than I intend, but rage is the only thing holding back the tears.“So your plan was just to fuck me and run?”
His whole body stiffens.“What are you talking about?”
“When are you leaving, Eli?”
“I don’t know.”
I laugh—bitter, broken.“Great answer.”
He runs a hand down his face, frustrated.“It was a long shot, Lauren.I didn’t even think I’d get the job.Then you moved in, and you brought all of… this.”He waves at the twinkle lights, the garlands, the tree glittering in the corner.“I haven’t had time to think about it.”
“You said you didn’t have a problem with my decorating.”
“I didn’t.But I wasn’t expecting Santa’s Village to explode in my living room.”His voice rises, sharp with exasperation.“It’s a bit much.”
The words slice me open.My chest goes tight, my throat burns.Too much.I’ve heard those words before.
“Thanks for letting me know now,” I choke out.“Clearly, I’ve overstayed my welcome.Maybe you wanted me to find that letter so it’d be easier for you to walk away.”
“That’s not?—”
“And since this is too much for you, it’s gone.I’m gone.You don’t have to look at it anymore.”I race around the living room, gathering random Christmas decorations into my arms.I dump everything onto the bed and grab my suitcase, shoving all my clothes inside along with the decorations.
Eli follows.“Lauren, wait?—”
“No.I heard you loud and clear.”My voice cracks, and a single tear betrays me, streaking down my cheek.He fills the doorway, broad and immovable, but I can’t look at him.“Please let me leave.”
