Page 63 of How He Got the Girl
The boy clears his throat, and we jump apart like two teenagers caught dancing too close together at homecoming. “Sorry to interrupt, but you’re all loaded up.”
“Thanks.” I give him a forced smile. It’s not his fault that I completely messed up the best thing that ever happened to me three years ago, and now that I’m finally getting the opportunity to make up for it, he interrupted a potential kiss.
“You ready?” I look at Mallory.
Her cheeks match the pink of her coat. “Yeah, let’s go.”
We walk to the car, and I open the passenger door for her.
“Thanks again,” the boy calls after us, waving the bills I gave him in the air. “Merry Christmas!”
I give him a two-finger wave back before getting in the driver’s seat.
“Are you ready to deck the halls?” I wiggle my eyebrows, a smirk plastered on my face, thinking I’m hilarious for bringing up the carol she was singing when I first laid eyes on her.
The sound of her laughter floating through the car is an instant serotonin boost.
When we arrive at the rehabilitation facility, I still haven’t been able to wipe the smile from my face.
I walk into the building, one hand intertwined with Mallory’s, the other carrying the tree.
“Hi, Stella.” I wave to the receptionist in the lobby with my tree-filled hand.
She raises a brow, but waves back. “Good to see you, Mr. Reynolds.”
We continue down the hall a ways until I gesture with our joined hands to a door. “That’s it, Room 1104.”
Mallory knocks on it for us.
“Come in,” Granny yells from the other side.
Mallory opens the door, allowing me to enter the room first.
“Hi, Granny.” She’s wearing her Sunday best, a deep-purple dress with a pearl necklace. I help her out of the recliner, pulling her into a hug.
“Griffie, I told you that you didn’t need to decorate my room. I’m happy just to have you here.” She looks past me and smiles at Mallory, reaching out to her. “And I’mveryhappy to see you again.”
“Since you were never formally introduced, Granny, this is Mallory,” I say.
Mallory immediately steps forward, embracing my granny. Seeing the two of them together, and especially seeing Granny so happy, has tears threatening to rise to the surface. I swallow, emotion thick in my throat. Trying to lighten the mood, I say, “We wanted to go for a less sterile look, more holiday spirit.”
While the rehab facility I have her in does a wonderful job of decorating their common areas for the holidays, Granny’s room is whites and grays. I’ve been too preoccupied this past week to decorate it for her. Even though Christmas is only a few days away, it’s never too late to liven up the space. Plus, Granny usually insists on leaving Christmas decor up until mid-January, so she’ll have a few weeks to enjoy it.
“I have to go grab the box of decorations from the car.” I look between them. “Will you two be okay here by yourself for a minute?”
“Of course.” Granny sits back down with Mallory’s assistance.
“We’re going to be two peas in a pod by the time you return.” Mallory smiles up at me, tossing me her car keys.
“Be right back.” I make my way back to the car, grabbing the box Mallory brought. I can’t get over how thoughtful it was of her to bring decorations for Granny’s room. It will look a lot better with all this stuff rather than just the bare tree.
Mallory and Granny are laughing like old friends when I make it back to the room.
“What are you two talking about?” I ask.
“Oh, nothing,” Mallory says. “Just girl stuff.”
Granny grins. “I love this one, Griffie.”
