Page 95 of The Holiday Ex-Files

“Wow. That’s really deep.” I giggled though I meant every word. She was right. Love flourished in the light.

She held up her cup to me. “You know my family, we’re all about secret relationships,” she snarled.

I rubbed her leg. “I’m sorry. Listen to me rambling. Tell me about your Thanksgiving.”

“I’d much rather talk about yours. At least yours was happy,” she sighed. “I’m so over my family and the holidays. You’re lucky, Cams,” some emotion laced her words. “At the end of the day, you have an entire army that would hunt down and maim anyone who hurt you. I’m not even sure anyone in my dysfunctional family would know if I disappeared.”

I set my drink in the console’s cup holder and took her hand, my heart breaking for her. “Mara, your family loves you. I love you. I would notice the second you were gone and search for you until my dying day if I had to.”

“This is why I love you and will never sign you up for any spammy email lists.”

“I do appreciate that.” I grinned.

Mara pulled out her phone. “Which reminds me, Claudia is getting added to a few more after she livestreamed herself from my living room and made fun of my basket full of yarn.”

“What a witch.”

“She’s going to pay. I happened to learn of a device that people put on their tongues so they can lick their cats.”

My face scrunched. “Ew.”

“It’s called a Lick Me-ow. She’s so going on that list of weirdos, and I’ve been saving the herpes control for a special occasion. Today is that day.” She cracked her knuckles, ready to get to business.

“What about Ben?” I was eagerly anticipating what lists he would go on.

“Honestly, I’m going to give him a break. He was pretty depressed yesterday. He watched his wife with this vacant stare that said, ‘What have I done with my life?’ He also asked about you and Noah. He saw that picture of you together at the hardware store.”

My brows raised. “Does he follow me?”

Mara shrugged. “That I don’t know, but I get the feeling he checks in on you from time to time online. Selfishly, I want you to date Noah just to vex my brother.”

I ran my fingers through my hair. “Noah thinks I should tell Ben about the baby.”

Mara’s brow quirked. “Really? What do you think about that?”

“I’m not sure, but I know before I even think about starting a relationship with Noah, I can’t let Ben haunt me anymore.”

“So, what you’re saying is that you have to vanquish my brother. I like it.” She laughed evilly. “How fast can you do that? And how can I help you?”

I threw my arms around her. “I’ll let you know. Now let’s go get in line. Those crazy ladies out there have friends and they’ve brought their own bags.”

Mara clung to me. “Cams, don’t be afraid to forge your own path, even if that means Noah is a part of it. Those who are meant to follow you will always follow you. Why worry about anyone else?”

That right there gave me all the feels. Like, I felt those words in my soul. “Wow. You’re like my own personal spiritual guru.”

“Nah, it’s all the private crocheting groups I’m in. Mark my words, crocheters are going to save the world.”

Knowing Mara was part of them, I had no doubt.

~*~

When I said those ladies meant business, I wasn’t kidding. They were running some crazy formations, snagging all the good deals the department store had to offer. They were even throwing things to each other. One had just made a pretty spiral pass with a bottle of perfume, only to have it intercepted by an opponent. Now there were some personal fouls being called, along with security. All I could do was watch in utter fascination as these women fought over Gucci Guilty Black, which did smell divine, while Mara was trying on all the coats.

While I observed, it got me to thinking that instead of the impersonal across-the-board Visa gift cards I had gotten everyone the last few years for Christmas, I could actually make a list and check it twice, make sure everyone got something super special and personal like I always used to do.

Yesssss, Miss Sparkly purred. Now we’re talking. Also, Mara is about ready to sneak her extra credit card and buy that gaudy puffy jacket. Stop her.

I hopped to my duty and practically vaulted over a clothes rack. “Step away from the coat,” I called to Mara.

She clutched it like a child. “But I don’t have a lime-green puffy coat.”

I pressed my lips together. “Say that sentence again and think about why you don’t own one.”

She thought for a moment. “Fine. I don’t even like lime green.” She hesitantly put the coat back on the rack.

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