Page 87 of The Naughty List

DEAR SANTA,

I know I’m supposed to be nice, but this year, I need to be really naughty.

Oh, and I need a BIG favor—Carson Wells, in nothing but a big pretty bow under my Christmas tree.

Xoxo, Felicity

Look, I’m desperate okay.

I’ve been the kid sister, sidekick, and friend zone queen since I was seven years old, but this year, that all changes.

Growing up next door to my best friend was pure, wonderful…torture.

From the moment my seven-year-old eyes landed on Carson, I was head over heels in love. I tried to wish him to fall in love with me but Santa seems to have missed that memo.

Forget feelings and romance this year, I’m going in for the kill—pure seduction.

After all, Christmas is the time of year to let it all out, right?

I know Santa won’t approve but, I’m done being nice.

It’s time for Carson Wells to see my naughty side once and for all.

1

FELICITY

I’m sitting on my bed in my dorm room, cleaning out my desk to start the packing process. Tomorrow, I will be graduating and done with college. The thought excites me to no end. I mean, no more tests, no more term papers, no more early mornings and races to the coffee cart on my way to class. Tomorrow, I will be a college graduate!

As I look around my room that’s decorated with pictures of me and my friends from my time at college, I feel a little sad to be putting this chapter of my life behind me. It was a lot of work, but I did have some fun times. At least these last few years I knew what day-to-day life would look like. After tomorrow, I have no idea. It’s like a big blank chalkboard. I have no idea what I’m doing other than going back home with my mom after graduation. From there, I get to settle back into my old room while I apply for jobs and figure out my future.

Figure out my future.

Man, I can’t even explain how badly those words scare me. I’m terrified that I will get hired on some place only to find out that I don’t have what it takes. Then these last few years will have been nothing but a waste. Not only that, but the money that my mom spent on my college is wasted too. Good money that she worked hard for. Money that she could’ve used to re-roof the house instead of taking out a loan. Guilt eats at me, but it also pushes me forward. I can’t fail. I won’t fail.

I take a drawer out of my desk and shake it over the empty box on my bed, too lazy to actually go through it and throw shit away. My phone rings and when I see Carson’s name flashing on the screen, I drop the drawer onto my bed and answer it as quickly as I can.

“Hey, you,” I say, full of energy and excitement.

“Hi, sweetheart. What are you up to?” he asks in his thick, deep, raspy voice. His voice has always sent shivers down my spine. Goosebumps prickle my skin every time I hear it.

“Oh, you know. Cleaning out my desk and packing my whole life into a box. You?”

He ignores my question and instead focuses on me. “That’s right. Tomorrow is the big day. Are you nervous?”

I shrug out of habit to getting this question. “I’m not nervous about the concept of graduating, but I am nervous about what comes after it.”

“What do you mean? Going back home?”

“Yeah, that and having to figure out the rest of my life. I’m just scared that I’ll fail and let everyone down, you know?”

“Not possible.”

I snort and that makes him laugh.

“I wouldn’t expect you to listen to me, but you have to know that you’ve never been able to let any of us down. Not me. Not your mom.”

“Well, now I know that isn’t true,” I tease as I feel my face warm from his compliment.

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