Page 15 of Hostile for the Holidays

“I’m taking your suitcase inside.”

“No way.”

“How will it look if we’re dating and I drop you off at the curb?” I ask.

“It’s not like you just slowed down and pushed me out of the car,” she insists. “Besides, I need a minute to wrap my head around all of this.” She motions between us.

Our fake relationship is fledgling and if we’re going to make it through the next two weeks, we’ll need to take it slow.

“Okay,” I relent, heading toward the car again. “Goodnight, Sparky.”

Her mouth gapes open in protest. “What’s that for?”

“All the chemistry between us.”

She glances down at my sweater. “Goodnight, Snowflake.”

“You know you’re wearing the same sweater,” I say, walking backwards toward my car.

She smirks. “Not voluntarily.”

As the garage closes, she holds a hand to her lips like she’s going to blow me a kiss but just as the door goes down, she flips me off. It only makes me smile.

For the first time in the years since I’ve known her, competed with her, and been powerless to keep my heart from getting crushed by her, I’m hopeful.

FIVE

STELLA

When Jasper pulled into my parents’driveway, I was stunned. I even double-checked the address to make sure it’s my house. It’s got the same white brick and pillars, the same cardinal red door with a half-moon window at the top. The spruce trees are exactly where they’ve always been framing the front stoop, but there’s noticeably one thing missing…Christmas decorations.

But if there’s one thing I’ve learned in my years going toe-to-toe with Jasper, it’s to never let him see my weaknesses.

That plan imploded today when I threw up on the plane, then laid in his lap like a helpless toddler. Oh, and when I asked him to fake date me to deal with the Daniel situation. That was a doozy.

I still can’t believe I suggested it. And Jasper agreed. Or was it the other way around? I can’t even remember how the conversation went. But it doesn’t matter, I’m going to nail my part as Jasper’s fake girlfriend if only to spite him.

Because that’s what we do.

We out-do and one-up each other and never ever let the other one know when they get to us.

That’s why there was no way in hell I could let Jasper see how my family’s house not being decorated for Christmas disappointed me.

I’m holding out hope that while outdoor lights were not on the priority list this year that the inside of the house is a winter wonderland with my mom’s crocheted Santas lined up on the fireplace above the stockings. Gingerbread candles burning and Christmas music on repeat in every room. The tree decked out in old school popcorn strands and ornaments Sadie and I made in the nineties that have been glued back together a handful of times.

As I move down the hallway and past the living area, that’s when I discover the true horror.

No gingerbread. No music. And from the vacant spot in front of the picture window, the tree isn’t even up yet and there are only six days until Christmas.

My dad is the first to greet me coming out from his study.

“There she is. Our Stell-bell is home,” he sings like the jolly old soul he is.

“It’s good to be home.” I sink into his embrace. When we separate, I notice that his hair has more flecks of gray than it used to, and the creases at the corners of his eyes are deeper than they were even months ago.

“Where’s the tree? And all the decorations?” I ask.

“Sorry, Stell-bell, we didn’t have time to get any decorations up this year. With Sadie’s wedding and your mom and I getting older, some things haven’t gotten done.”

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