Page 17 of Booked for Christmas

Alex:

sure.

Me:

we can start brainstorming too

Me:

if you want…

Alex:

is it okay if I bring the girls?

Me:

of course!

Me:

we can bake some cookies

Alex:

I’m sure they’d love that

Me:

okay then

Alex:

6 okay?

Me:

perfect

Me:

see you then

Alex:

see you.

???

I peer at myself in the bathroom mirror and run a hand through the meticulously styled curls. Hadlee did an amazing job, but it feels off. I miss my unruly mane of mismatched curls, but she’d be furious if I doused them. My stomach tightens in anticipation of tonight, and I flop my hair the opposite way.

“Jana, they’re here!” Hadlee calls from the living room. I take one last, deep breath and tug at the hem of my sweater. It’s the only Christmas sweater I could find in my size—bright red with snowflakes and a reindeer woven into it.

Leaving the bathroom, I drop my phone on my bed and hurry into the hallway. There’s a soft knock on the front door, and I shoot a glare at Hadlee.

“What? I heard his truck pull up.”

“Can you please be on your best behavior?”

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