Page 97 of Never Sleigh Never
“Hi Brie, I got you on speakerphone, and Josie wants to ask you something.”
From beside me, Josie leans over and yells into the phone. “Do you want to come over and spend Christmas with us? Please, please, please.”
Brie giggles. “I would absolutely love to.”
Josie bounces on the stool. “Yes! And you have to wear Christmas pajamas—it’s the rule.”
“You know,” Brie teases, “I think I might just have the perfect pair.”
“Yay!” Josie whoops. “I’m putting mine on right now!” She takes off up the stairs before I can stop her.
I take Brie off speaker and lift the phone. “She wanted to do the inviting herself.”
“It was sweet. She’s an amazing girl.”
I lower my voice. “Also, just so you know, once you’re in my bed, the pajamas come off.”
“Oh, so you’re assuming I’ll be spending the night?”
“Might as well pack for the entire weekend.”
When I mentioned the idea to Josie, she jumped around the house. She listed everything we could have for breakfast, games we could play, and movies we had to watch. I love that she’s just as excited about Brie as I am. Maybe more.
Her laugh bubbles through the speaker, warm and teasing. “Bye, Logan.”
Not long after, a knock rattles the door. Josie launches off the couch and flings it open. “Brie!”
“Hi, Josie. I hope it’s okay I wore my pajamas over.” Brie tugs her coat open to reveal red-and-green flannel pajamas plastered with Santas and reindeer.
Josie gasps. “Yes! We match!” She flips up the hood of her Christmas onesie, complete with stuffed antlers.
“That’s absolutely adorable,” Brie coos.
I push off the couch. “Josie, maybe let Brie in before she turns into an icicle.”
“Oh. Right!” Josie scrambles back, and Brie steps inside, removing her coat.
“My dad has the same pajamas,” Josie declares.
Brie arches a brow, eyes skating over me from head to toe. Her lips twitch like she’s fighting a laugh. “Oh, that’s a sight.”
“Wait—it gets better.” I yank on the hood. The antlers flop from side to side, and when I press the tip of the hood, the red fuzzy nose lights up.
“You look good as a reindeer.” She smirks.
“Not just any reindeer, but Rudolph. Don’t worry, next year, we will get you your own pair. You can be Vixen.”
“I can hardly wait.”
Grabbing her overnight bag, I set it near the staircase. “We were just about to start the first movie. Honestly, I wasn’t sure you’d actually come. Figured you’d be knee-deep in planning your Christmas world domination for next year.” My hand finds the small of her back as I guide her into the living room. Even that tiny touch lights me up like the nose on my hood.
“The Christmas takeover can wait a day or two.” She sits, curling into the couch cushions. “Besides, I won’t know about the promotion until next week.”
“If you don’t get it, I’ll stage a protest.”
Josie pops up from the makeshift bed on the floor. “I’ll make posters!”
“Thanks. I’m happy to know I have your support.” Her phone chimes with a message. She glances at her phone, brows pinched together. “There’s a new blog post from Emma St. Claire.”
