Page 41 of The Holiday Ex-Files

Noah and I each took a boy’s hand and weaved through the crowded halls of the private school. They were filled not only with people, but several glass cases full of awards and pictures of days gone by.

Little Liam, whose hand I held, looked up at me with his big blue eyes and asked, “Are you Uncle Noah’s girlfriend?”

I stopped, stunned, as did Noah.

“Uh, no,” I spluttered. “We’re just friends.” I looked to Noah to emphasize that fact, but all he did was press his mouth together while his ears pinked.

“Okay.” Liam sounded depressed.

“I think my mom will be mad,” Jaxon jumped into the awkward conversation.

“Why?”

Jaxon took a big bite of his cotton candy before saying with a full mouth, “Because my mom says she wants Uncle Noah to date nice girls and quit bringing home skanks.” His brow furrowed. “What’s a skank?”

I certainly didn’t need to google that definition. That was an easy answer—Claudia Cann. But before either a shocked Noah or I could answer, Liam yelled, “Skank!” Then laughed like a mad scientist.

I think every head turned our way amid deafening silence.

Noah held up his arms as if he were going to preach a sermon. “Nothing to see here, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls. He said skunk.”

“I said SKANK!” Liam shouted.

I had to throw a hand over my mouth before I busted out laughing. This was seriously the best time I’d had in a long time. Kids were the best entertainment around. And watching Noah squirm was worth the price of admission. The price being that Miss Sparkly was totally in her fall-loving element here. She was desperately trying to take over and hit the pumpkin decorating station and buy the fundraising booth out of all the pumpkin-spice candles, but for now I was holding her back. It was one of the reasons I had gone to the bathroom to post. That shirt I’d seen was like a link to reality, and I’d seized it.

I felt obligated to help Noah. And that’s when I remembered: I had googled skank once upon a time, sure that Claudia’s picture would pop up. Google had severely disappointed me, but I had learned something new.

I stood on my tiptoes and smiled at all the onlookers. “Everyone, I’m taking a dance class, and we are learning how to dance the skank. It’s a dance you do to reggae music. My little friends here are just excited to see my performance. Thank you for your attention. Please carry on.” I bowed deeply to the chuckles of several people.

When I came up, I was met with Noah’s eyes. Deep gratitude swelled within them. “You are still the coolest girl I know.”

That was the best compliment I had received in a long time. Oh, and Miss Sparkly was all aflutter about it. I tucked some hair behind my ear. “We better get these two back in the gym.”

“So, a skank is a dance?” Jaxon was highly disappointed.

“Yes, it is.”

Jaxon’s button nose scrunched. “How can you bring home a dance?”

“I’ll show you later.” I laughed.

We herded the boys toward the gym, where all the action was taking place.

Noah sidled up to me. “I want to see how you do the skank,” he whispered.

I nudged him with my shoulder. “I might be so inclined after I learn how to do it, and if you tell me which skanks you’ve been bringing home,” I teased him.

Get those names and see if Annika is one of them. Miss Sparkly was still a little salty.

Noah ran a hand through his gorgeous locks. “Shanna has her opinions.”

“I’m sure she does. Does she like your mystery woman?” I wondered out loud, mostly for Miss Sparkly’s benefit.

“Loves her,” Noah said without missing a beat.

Miss Sparkly wasn’t thrilled, but I was happy for my friend. “You’re all set, then.”

“I have to win the girl first.” Noah wagged his brows.

“I suppose there’s that, but first I need to win some more tickets. Come on, boys, let’s go bob for some apples.”

Miss Sparkly was super excited about that. We all raced to the large metal tubs. I totally planned to go for the gold even if it meant dunking my entire head in. While we stood in line and listened to the boys chattering about how they were going to score the biggest apple the fastest, I looked at the world around me. I allowed my blinders to come off, and for the first time in a long time, everything came into focus. It was as if I was actually living, instead of getting by. I noticed harried carnival organizers and dads chasing unruly toddlers. I smiled at how bougie the PTA had made the gym. They must have had a big budget. All the booth workers wore matching black-and-white striped aprons, and they had a quality DJ emceeing the thing. Not to mention each booth was a handcrafted masterpiece. The most important part was that it was a happy place. Most importantly, I felt happy.

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