Page 29 of Jingle Bell Jilt
She stares at me. “You forgot something?”
I nod. “Yeah.” I hope she doesn’t ask me what, because she still looks sad enough that I will likely tell her everything. And I don’t want to look like an idiot. I brighten. “Maybe you can plan out what movies we’re going to watch tonight while I’m gone?”
Her face relaxes. “You want to watch movies?”
“Unless you don’t want to.” Now I’m the one who’s worried that she’s tired of being with me. “I mean, we’ve pretty much spent the whole day together.”
She smiles and I relax. “I’d like that.” She looks around the room. “Do you really love the way it looks?”
I nod. “I really do.”
She looks up at the ceiling. “Did you say that I won the contest? ‘Hands down’ I believe is what I heard.”
I grab my phone off the counter. “Yes. You won.” I motion to the candy cane vase. “I think that may have put you over the top.”
She motions to my garland still sitting in the box. “Do you want help putting that up?”
I shake my head. “I’m pretty sure it will only detract from what you’ve done.”
“No, it’ll look really nice. Maybe it can go around the door frame?” She picks up the boxes and studies them. “I’m afraid the wire will scratch the wood banisters.”
“I didn’t buy anything to hang it with.”
She smiles. “I think I have some stuff left over that will work.”
“Of course you do,” I laugh.
She sighs and turns in a little circle. “It did turn out pretty, didn’t it?”
I lift my phone. “Okay. I’ll be right back.” I turn to leave, but then stop. “Oh, what kind of pizza do you like?”
She shrugs. “I like pretty much everything. Except mushrooms. But I can usually pick those off.”
I narrow my eyes at her. “What’s your stance on pineapple?”
“I think it definitely belongs on a pizza. Although, I think I like pears even more.”
My nose wrinkles. “Pears?”
She nods emphatically. “Oh my gosh, yes. There’s a pizza place back home that has a pear, prosciutto, and pistachio pizza. It’s so good.” Her eyes roll back in her head as if she’s reliving the dreaminess.
I shake my head. “I just don’t think I can get on board with that. But there’s nothing that fancy at this pizza place. It’s just good, classic pizza.”
“Then just get whatever you usually get,” she says.
“Anchovies it is,” I fist pump the air and laugh when her face falls. “Just kidding.” I walk over to the stairs. “I’m going to grab my wallet and head out. Let me know if you think of anything else.”
CHAPTERTWELVE
SHAY
Evan said he forgot something. What could he have forgotten? Had he seen Mrs. Claus with the angel? Does he think he has to buy me a gift now too? Oh, I hate receiving obligatory gifts.
I hadn’t bought the angel so he would buy me something. I just thought it was something he should have. Something heneedsto have. Something that elicits that much emotion should be part of his life.
I wonder how long Evan will be gone picking up the pizza. My stomach growls and I wonder why I was not remotely hungry until he mentioned food. Now it’s like I haven’t eaten in days. Granted, I missed lunch because I was so busy helping Evan with the decorations. But still. It can’t be that late.
I look over at the clock on the microwave in the kitchen and gasp. Holy cow! It’s already after five? No wonder Evan worried that the pizza wasn’t ordered yet.
