Page 23 of The Holiday Exchange

I push his shoulder to turn him around and lead him up the aisle with a hand under his elbow. “I’m excited for you to meetmy roommate and this will be the perfect opportunity to introduce you to a few other people, too, so you can practice talking to them.”

I turn off the lights and lock up the gym door. “You can follow me to my apartment. It’s not far from here.”

I get in my car and drive away, careful to keep an eye on my rearview mirror and make sure he’s still behind me. I pull up in front of my building and get out, waiting for him to join me before going in.

“We’re on the second floor.” He nods and follows me up the stairs. I can hear the party from the landing, strains ofJingle Bell Rockfiltering from the open door at the end of the hall. I glance up at Trevor with a smile and realize that the man is literally sweating right now, perspiration dotting his forehead despite the winter chill lingering in the stairwell.

“Hey.” I put my hand on his arm and pause, turning to face him. “Are you okay?”

Trevor swallows, Adam’s apple bobbing, and nods. “I’m fine, just a little nervous.”

“Don’t worry,” I reassure him, leaning in a little. “I’ll be around the whole time. And there’s no pressure. I just want you to have a good time.”

“Thanks.” There’s that little half smile again. My heart speeds up as I become aware of how near we are to each other. It reminds me of when I looked up as we were painting last week to find my face inches from his. For a second there, I thought he might kiss me. What’s more, I wanted him to kiss me.

But he jumped back and the moment was broken. This time I’m the one who takes a step back.

“Come on. I’m hungry.”

I lead him into the apartment and take his coat, throwing it over the back of the couch with mine. It’s a small apartment and it’s definitely not cold in here with so many people millingaround, chatting and enjoying the refreshments Annie and I prepared earlier. I spot my roommate in the kitchen and gesture for Trevor to follow me.

“Annie, this is Trevor. He’s the guy who helped me build some set pieces for the play.”

“Oh, right! So nice to meet you.” Annie extends a hand to Trevor, smiling warmly. “Kayla’s told me all about you.”

“Good things I hope.”

“All good things,” she confirms, releasing his hand. “So, it’s all done and set up for Friday?” She looks back and forth between me and Trevor, adjusting the reindeer antler headband perched on her auburn head.

“All done and it’s exactly what I wanted. I can’t wait for you to see it.”

“I’m sure it looks great. Hey, I need to go say hello to someone.” She turns to Trevor. “Make sure you try the chocolate peppermint cookies Kayla made. She’s an amazing cook.”

He nods solemnly. “I know.”

Annie slides past me, leaning in to whisper, “He’s cute!” She wiggles her eyebrows at me as she leaves and my face heats, even though I know no one else heard her.

“So, how about some of those cookies?”

I load up a plate for myself, greeting friends as they drift by. Trevor and I find a place to stand in one corner of the living room while we eat.

“How’re you doing?” I eye him, evaluating. He seems more relaxed now that we’re inside.

“Good. The food helps. I was starving.”

I laugh. “Me too. Something to know about me is that I get hangry fast. I usually keep snacks in my bag and car, in case I ever find myself in an emergency situation.”

“Good to know. Have you ever had to use an emergency snack?”

“If you’re hungry and there’re no restaurants, grocery stores,or other likely sources of sustenance handy, it’s an emergency. I had to eat a pack of peanut butter crackers from my car stash while I was waiting for you at the school earlier.”

He laughs. “When you said ‘emergency’ I thought you meant like stranded in a snowstorm or a flat tire or something.”

I squint at him. “Don’t make fun of my priorities. It’s for the good of everyone that I have a steady caloric intake. Hangy, remember?”

He lifts one hand in mock surrender. “I’m sorry.”

“Forgiven.”

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