Page 52 of If You Love Me

“We’re not together,” Connor explains.

She makes a noise but doesn’t comment further. “Looks like I’m not the only one who loves Christmas Eve Thai takeout.”

The woman who runs the restaurant appears with three bags. “Sorry for the wait!”

We all murmur a variation ofno problem, and Connor reaches for the bag with tamarind curry at the same time as Dred.

“Oh! Sorry!” Dred yanks her hand back and grips both endsof her scarf.

Connor raises both hands. “My fault. I think we ordered the same thing.”

We all peer at the receipts. The order is exactly the same, down to the sticky rice and mango salad sides.

“Huh.” Dred picks up her bag and returns her attention to me. “I thought Hammer was in Niagara for Christmas Eve.”

“She is.” I grab my bag.

“So you’re on your own?” Dred presses.

“Yup.”

She looks to Connor. “And you?”

“Same.”

“Me too. We’re quite the trio of misfits, aren’t we?”

“Why aren’t you with your family?” Connor asks.

For a moment I feel bad. He doesn’t know Dred or her history.

“I don’t have any.” She says this like she’s giving a weather report.

“Shit. I’m sorry.” He adjusts the brim of his hat.

“My parents were drug addicts, so I doubt Christmas would be all that enjoyable if they were still alive.” She makes a face. “Oh my God. Sorry. Neither of you needed to know that.”

“It’s legit though,” Connor replies.

“Mmm… And why are you solo on Christmas Eve?” Dred quickly shifts the focus away from her.

“My parents took my sisters and grandmother on vacation for the holidays and didn’t tell me until last night, when they were already in Cabo,” Connor says. “Not that it’s the same, but still unfortunate.”

If I didn’t know he was the heir to a hotel chain, I might have assumed his family were long gone like Dred’s too. Whenever they ask about his dad in interviews, he pivots or walks out.

“Yikes. That’s rough.” Dred and Connor look to me.

“My dad’s been gone for a long time, and my mom and her cousin are on a cruise so the holidays hurt less for her.”Apparently I feel like sharing today, too. “You can both come back to my place, if you want.”

“You allowed to be in the same room as me?” Connor asks Dred.

She laughs. “I won’t tell if you don’t.”

“I like my teeth where they are, so your secret is safe with me.”

“Come on, kids. It’s misfits’ Christmas Eve at my place.”

We grab our food and pile into Connor’s sports car, with poor Dred crammed in the tiny back seat eating her knees. I offered her the front, but she just laughed and said no. A handful of minutes later, we’re back at my place, gathered at my dining room table.

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