Page 1 of Single Girl Rules: HoHoHo

Chapter 1 – Stuffing Mrs. Claus

2 Days Before Christmas, 2013

The text came through right when the Christmas movie ended.My bodyguards had impeccable timing.

I clicked on it just to make sure it was the message I’d beenhoping for. And it was. One simple word from Teddybear: “Ready.”

Ah yes!

“Food’s here,” I lied. “Let’s go grab it.”

“Go ahead,” said Ash. “I’ll cue up the next movie.”

“Another one? Isn’t five movies enough for one day?”

“Five Christmas movies? Never.”

Christmas movies were fine. But we’d watched so much freakingTV since the semester ended. Ash literally hadn’t left our dorm in a week. Weweren’t even technically supposed to be here until after Christmas. But Ash’sparents had ditched her for a couple’s cruise, so the poor girl had nowhere togo except a sad empty house. And I couldn’t let my bestie be alone on Christmas,so I’d agreed to stay in the dorms with her.

“Come on,” I said. “I don’t want to get the food alone. What ifthe delivery guy works for one of Daddy’s enemies?”

Ash sprung out of bed and triple locked our door. I’d neverseen her move so fast. “The kidnappers can’t get us if we don’t leave the room.”

“No one is going to kidnap us.” That was a one-time thing. Itwas practically a rite of passage for being friends with a mafia boss’sdaughter. And Ash had survived the kidnapping completely unscathed. She didn’teven remember it. But she did have a newfound paranoia of kidnappings. “As longas we go down together, we’ll be fine.”

“What about Ghostie and Teddybear?” she asked. “Can’t theyget it for us? That’s what bodyguards are for.”

For fetching food? I much preferred being spit-roasted bythem, but to each their own. “They’re busy doing something else for me.”Settingup your surprise.“Come on.” I grabbed her arm and tugged her towards thedoor.

“Fine. But only because I’m starving.” She grabbed her can ofpepper spray, almost knocking over the framed picture of Santa on hernightstand.

I smiled as I stared at the picture. If that and the endlessChristmas movies were any indication, Ash was going to absolutelylovethisearly Christmas present.

She tucked the pepper spray into the pocket of her extrapoofy sherpa pullover. And then she stared at me like I was forgettingsomething.

“Ready?” I asked.

“Yup. Are you?” Her gaze shifted down to my chest.

“What?” I asked.

“You don’t have a shirt on.”

“Sure I do.”

“That’s a bra.”

I looked down at my super cute red lacy top. “It’s abralette. It’s both a shirt and a bra. It’s not my fault my boobs look amazingin everything. I have another one if you wanna borrow it.”

“No thank you.”

“Are you sure?” I asked, staring back at her sherpa pulloverand equally baggy sweats. “You look like the love child of a yeti and a sexy gingermodel. And I hate to bring it up again, but… Single Girl Rule #16: Either yourlegs, cleavage, or…”

“…Stomach must be showing at all times. Preferably all three,”she finished for me. “I’m well aware of the rule. And if you look closely, you’llfind that I’m in full compliance.” She gestured down to her legs.

“Those are the baggiest sweatpants I’ve ever seen in my life,”I said.

“Look lower.” She stuck her leg out and wiggled her footaround. “My ankles are everywhere. I’m basically dressed like a whore.”

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