Page 44 of Flame After the Fumble

The kitchen counter is loaded with peppermints, marshmallows in all different sizes, chocolate, and caramel syrup. I even bought the more expensive disposable coffee cups with the snowmen and gingerbread men on them. That has to count for something. Since I haven’t worn a shirt all day, I guess it would be appropriate to throw on my favorite tacky Christmassweater with the gingerbread man with one leg bitten off and wait by my phone for Liza to either confirm or deny our date.

As if she can read my mind, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I grab it, hoping to see a notification from Liza.

Goldie: Is it too late for us to come over?

Me: The party never stops at the Knox residence.

Goldie: You’re ridiculous.

Me: Only for you :)

It’s go time.

Liza

“You should have known better than to tell me this information willingly.” My little sister hops in the passenger seat, excitement beaming in her doe-like, teenage eyes.

“Yeah, I thought you’d have my back and agree that it’s aterribleidea to prance around the apartment of the guy I may or may not have a slight crush on all night.” My fingers tap against the steering wheel as my knees bounce sporadically. The nerves hit me like a freight train as we get closer to Hartley’s house.

“Come onnnn.” Willow nudges my shoulder and laughs from deep inside. “What have you done with the spontaneous, party girl I used to know?”

I roll my eyes and bring my nails to my mouth to bite, only to remember I have acrylics on. “She’s caught feelings, that’s what.”

“Is that such a bad thing?” Her voice levels me, all playfulness gone. A more tender side presents itself.

“I don’t know.” Inhaling a deep breath, I get ready to unload my feelings on the short drive over. “Maybe not. The breakup with Layne just hurt so bad, and I don’t want to ever feel lost like that again.” I gulp and remember this is just my little sister, the person I discloseeverythingto. “You know better than anyone how bad it was.”

“I know,” she whispers. “But, from what you’ve told me, Hartley seems cool, Liza. You can’t assume everyone is going to toss you aside like that loser did.”

I pause. “I want to tell him how I feel, but I’ve been avoiding him ever since I’ve come to terms with my feelings.” Groaning out dramatically, I pull into a parking spot directly in front of the staircase that leads to his door. My head drops to the steering wheel, and I lightly pound against it. “Why do I make everything so complicated?”

“Look.” Willow unbuckles her seatbelt and tucks her feet underneath her, propping herself higher. “I’ll feel him out tonight. You trust me more than anyone, right?”

“Right.”

“When we get back to your dorm, I’ll give you my honest opinion on the guy, okay? You just need to relax and enjoy yourself with someone who youdefinitelylike.” She opens the car door and pats my back with encouragement as she waves her hands for me to step out of the car. “Come on!” Before I know it, she’s racing up the staircase.

Throwing the car door open, I fly to the fourth step and grab her arm. “Stop!” I whisper-shout to my obnoxious little sister.

I shoot her a serious glare. “It got you out of the car, didn’t it? Let’s go feel out your man.” She takes the rest of the stairs two at a time, and I struggle to keep up until we reach the door.

“You do the honors.” My sister gestures to the door, and I knock three times. Before I can land the fourth knock, the apartment door flies open to reveal a vision of a deliciousHartley Knox in all his backward hat glory. He’s absolutely devastating in a Christmas sweater, splattered with cookie dough chunks, and black sweatpants that hug his muscular thighs to perfection. Of course, he’s wearing a crooked smile that makes it virtually impossible to form a coherent sentence.

“Goldie.” The nickname that once irked my nerves now leaves me speechless as it rolls off his tongue. My eyes hone in on his plump lips. His tongue pushes along his bottom lip and peruses back and forth. “Enjoying the view?” His brazen ability to call out the obvious shocks me out of his induced haze and back to reality.

“Uhh. . .” Stumbling across my words, I can’t seem to form a sentence when he looks this good. Instead, I divert the attention to my little sister. “This is Willow.” Reaching over to pat her shoulder awkwardly, I sport a tense smile and take a step closer to her.

“Hartley.” He extends his large hand to shake hers. “Nice to meet you.” She places hers in his without a second thought. “I’m so excited to meet the guy that’s consumed so much of Liza’s time this year.” She winks, fully enjoying embarrassing me.

“Trust me, the pleasure’s all mine.” He turns his back to us. “Come in. I have a surprise.”

Giving Willow the meanest death glare I can muster up, I mouth, “Really?” She sticks her tongue out and follows behind Hart into the kitchen.

“Ta da!” The sight of his transformed apartment takes my breath away. I assumed we’d come over, chill on the couch for a little while, and head on our holly jolly way, avoiding feelings all together, but this. . . this is more than I expected. The kitchen counter is covered with Christmas coffee cups, boiling water, and hot chocolate packs.

“I created a hot cocoa bar.” He stares at the counter with pride, placing his hands on his hips. “Since we didn’t go home for Christmas, I wanted to bring the Christmas spirit to us.”

“Wow!” Willow squeals and shoves a handful of chocolate chips into her mouth. “This is awesome.”

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