Page 57 of The Fake Dating Plan

“Then order lunch.”

When I got back from my shower, the kitchen counter was filled with leftovers from yesterday’s dinner.

“There're tons of these in your fridge. Didn’t want to waste.”

“Good of you to think about lessening the weight of my fridge, although you could have gotten fresh food if you wanted.”

“No,” she said, digging into a turkey salad, “This tastes better the day after.”

I went over to her and grabbed a fork from the drawer and ate a portion. She was right. Somehow, I wondered if I had ever eaten turkey leftovers.

“I can’t throw away food.”

“I shouldn’t from now on.”

I took a plate of my own and served some of the food. We ate in silence. It felt comfortable. Domesticated. After a while, she said, “Don’t you open your gifts? Isn’t that something you’re supposed to do on Christmas day?”

“That’s done on boxing day. That’s why it’s called that.”

“It sounds like a lie.”

“Truth.”

“So why aren’t you opening them?”

I hated opening Christmas gifts. The process took longer than necessary and was often disappointing, especially if the gift was one of many things I already have. However, doing it with her came with a new appeal. “You could help me.”

We both went over to the Christmas tree and settled down under it like kids. She picked the first box. It was wrapped in silver glossy paper. Tiago’s gift. I ripped the tightly wrapped package open.

“Careful!”

“It’s supposed to be ripped apart.”

In it was a pendulum swing. No wonder it was heavy. When I set it down, the balls hit each other and began swinging. There was a note accompanying it:

For an ass as restless as you are.

I chuckled.

“Why are you the only one with gifts?” Emilia asked as she looked around the tree.

“Why? Did you want one?”

“Not like that, you dolt. Isn’t Christmas about exchanging gifts? Exchange being the operative word.”

“It all started when we had to spend Christmas at Tiago’s place after he got into an accident. Everyone brought a gift only for him and that’s how the tradition began, basically. The host gets the gifts. Which is great because you don’t have to worry about getting gifts for everyone. Been going for five years now.”

“Your family continues to be weird.”

I laughed. “I thought we were a normal family.”

She raised her eyebrows.

“What else about the Reids is different?”

“Your mom and dad, for starters. I would have sworn they were divorced, but yesterday’s behavior would make me believe they were an old couple more than anything else.”

“That. I can’t explain. I was as baffled as you were.” I noticed as I talked her gaze stayed on the Christmas tree. “Do you want to help me unwrap them?” I asked, expecting a no or another excuse for her to leave. She surprised me by nodding, her eyes brightening with what I could only interpret as excitement.

---