Page 3 of Single Girl Rules: HoHoHo

“This is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me.” Shepulled me into a giant hug.

“Ramen with syrup?” offered Teddybear as he cracked chocolatePop-Tarts over a steaming bowl of ramen.

He looked amazing, even in his costume. But the food did not.

“Ugh,” I said, trying not to gag at the sight. I appreciatedhim taking the role so seriously, but that was foul. “How about some cookiesinstead?”

“Good idea,” said Ash.

We started navigating through a sea of giant presents and candycanes on our way to the cookie decorating table.

But halfway there, someone tore through the side of one ofthe presents and lunged for Ash.

“Die, pervert!” she screamed, delivering a wicked throat punchto the assailant and following it up with a swift kick in the nuts.

And then her eyes got huge. “Kyle?” she asked.

The guy groaned and looked up at her from the floor. “Good tosee you too, sis,” he said, trying to smile through the pain.

Ash threw her hand over her mouth. “I’m so sorry. I thoughtyou were a pervert.”

“Who said I’m not?” he joked. “You should have seen what Iwas going to do to your hot friend if you hadn’t stopped me.” He flashed me asmile.

Holy shit.Ash’s brother was kind of hot. He wasgiving real homeless bad boy vibes with his trucker hat and long hair.

“Ew.” Ash laughed and offered him a hand.

Give me a second here,” he said, still grabbing his junk. “Andfair warning – Rosalie is going to pop out of the next present.”

“Rosalie?!”

“Merry Christmas!” yelled Rosalie as she tore out of a giantpresent.

I didn’t think it was possible for Ash to look any moreexcited than she had earlier. But her little sister coming to visit forChristmas had her smiling from ear to ear.

And she hadn’t even gotten her main present yet. Speaking ofwhich… I glanced around to confirm that Teddybear had hung all the mistletoe Irequested.Perfect.Everything was all set for Ash’s big surprise. Now Ijust had to wait for him to arrive. Did I say him? I meant it. Because I definitelydidn’t order her a stripper or anything like that… I couldn’t help the smilethat spread across my face at the thought of her surprise. Ash was totally goingto freak out.

“Who wants cookies and milk?” I asked.

“I do,” said Ash and Rosalie.

“How about burgers and beer?” suggested her brother.

“We don’t have any of that.”

“Oh really?” He reached into the present he’d been hiding inearlier and pulled out two brown bags. One was filled with burgers and fries. Theother had a six pack of peppermint flavored craft beer. He cracked a beer openwith his eye socket and offered it to Ash.

She shook her head. “I don’t drink.”

So I guess she’s still in denial about Banana Juice beingalcohol.Or maybe she got so drunk every time she had it that she legitimatelydidn’t remember drinking it.

Kyle shrugged. “More for me.”

“I got you a present too,” said Rosalie. She handed Ash awrapped present.

Ash tore into it and then read the label on the bottle.

“This is the BEST face cream in the world,” said Rosalie. “Evenfor sensitive skin like ours. Your skin is going to be glowing after one day ofthat.”

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