Page 88 of Love Puck

She squeezed my arm, and then promptly removed her hand. “Okay, let’s talk business. I want to hear more about your summer launch. I’ve been thinking that you should move it up a month and do it early. And I’m going to need all of this on the proposal you’re sending me in the new year.”

I smiled at Heather.

And then we talked about business.

And it was nice to think about something else for a while.

Other than my dumpster fire of a life.

Cash

Christmas Day flew by incredibly fast. Which was exactly what I needed.

My mom showed up, too.

She and Jillian talked for a long time. They were at the kitchen table with their laptops—and seeing them there like that—fuck.

It fed something so deep inside of me, that I didn’t understand it. Watching them interact and discuss—and laugh together, well, it made me really goddamn happy.

What didn’t make me happy was how many times Stuart the douche canoe tried to interrupt them.

But, Mom, being who she was, finally told him in no uncertain terms, “Stuart, with all due respect, you’re being more of a hindrance than a help. Would you mind leaving us alone for a while? Maybe grab some cookies and watch the game?”

Trey and Beau laughed, then coughed to cover up their laughter.

And then Marianne sent Stuart out on some other bullshit errand.

After that, the mood in the house improved significantly. The only person who was noticeably absent was Jillian’s mom. I guess she was off on some expedition somewhere. Jillian didn’t elaborate when asked.

It was too bad.

Because during supper, Jillian got her call up to the Olympic team.

And I was so fucking happy for her. I wanted to pick her up and swing her around. And kiss her.

Instead, when nobody was watching, I slid my hand onto her leg and told her how proud I was of her.

Gigi and Lexi got their calls as well.

So, these three best friends would be together, representing Canada in the next Olympic games.

It was a great way to end the day.

We ate too much.

Drank too much.

And yeah—Jillian and I repeated our activities from the night before.

And it was even better.

The next morning at the airport, Marissa and I said our goodbyes. She’d been quiet while we packed up and left Wes and Marianne’s house.

She’d also been quiet during the drive.

I noticed.

But I also didn’t.

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