Page 120 of Holiday Friend Zones
“No!I mean… no.Well… no.”My hands flap like nervous seagulls.“You know how I moved in with him after the pipes burst at my place?”
“Yeah.”
“Since then, things have gotten… different.”
“Different how?”
“More… flirty.More… electric.More…”
“More finger licking.”
“Exactly,”I groan, collapsing forward.“And my entire body heats up every time he’s near me.It’s never been like this.It was always easy and casual between us and definitely not… this.”
“And you want there to be more finger licking?”
I nod miserably because actually sayingyes, please, and also kissing and probably seeing him nakedwould make it too real.
Brie grins.“Then go for it.If you don’t try, you’ll never know.This could become the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”
My heart soars… and then plummets.What if I’ve built it up in my head, and he only sees me as his best friend?What if I ruin things with the one person who’s been my safe place since middle school?
Before I can spiral into oblivion, Brie glances at the window.“The snow’s getting bad.We should call it a day before we’re trapped here all night.”
“Yeah.Good idea.”I hate night driving in the snow almost as much as I hate the idea of losing Eli.
Back at the cabin, I switch on the Christmas lights and curl up on the couch with a blanket.The Holidayflickers on the TV, the screen glowing softly.If anyone can stop me from overthinking, it’s Jude Law and an English cottage.
An hour in, the front door blows open with a swirl of icy wind and snow, and in steps Eli, shaking the snow off his shoulders.“It’s really coming down out there,” he says, shrugging out of his jacket.
“At least you’re home now,” I reply.“No need to drive in it.”
“Yeah.”
He disappears into the spare room and emerges minutes later in gray sweatpants.My entire chest flutters like a traitor.Grey sweatpants should be illegal.
“So,” he says, lifting my feet and settling on the couch, “what are we watching?”He slides his hands over my fuzzy-sock-covered feet.Now my body melts for an entirely new reason.
“The Holiday.”
“Oh good, something to put me to sleep.”
“Very funny.It’s a classic.”
“No,Home Aloneis a classic.This is not that.”
“There’s Christmas in it!Plus, I could totally swap houses with someone and live in a cottage in the English countryside.”
He snorts.“Doubt it.”
“Yes, I could.I’ve adapted to living in your cabin in the woods.”
“Mount Holly is much different than the English countryside.”
“Oh, ye of little Christmas faith.I should just do it to prove you wrong.”
“Now see that—that sounds like something you’d do.Scoot over.”He grins, tapping my leg.
“What?”
