Page 94 of Holiday on the Rocks
“It’s just a painful memory I never wanted to think of again.”
He was slurring slightly. “You didn’t feel like you could talk to me about it?”
“It wasn’t that. I moved on after everything with Levi. It was a long time ago. I didn’t know he’d be here or knew Evan.”
I crossed my fingers behind my back. Technically closure wasn’t a relationship, so when I said it was a long time ago, that was basically true.
He stepped closer and took my hand in his. “So you and Levi?”
It was a good question I didn’t have a solid answer for. But there was nothing after Colorado. We both agreed. “There’s nothing with Levi.”
Why did those words put a restless ache in my tummy?
His face was red and hair everywhere. “You should sleep this off.”
I pulled down the comforter and when I turned around, he was right in front of me and pulled me into his chest. “Stay with me?”
“I really need to touch base with Emily on some wedding stuff. There’s so much to do as a bridesmaid. But I’ll see you at breakfast, okay?”
His lids were heavy. “I love you.”
I froze and flashed the strongest smile I could muster. “Is that the liquor talking?”
“No. I believe in you, and us.”
Heat went to my face. “I, uh, believe in you, too.” Awkward silence and a giggle from me. “But I also believe in Bigfoot, so not sure what to do with any of this.”
His blinking was slow. “You rest and I’ll see you in the morning, okay?”
I went downstairs to find the living room empty except for Kristina, and I plopped down next to her on the couch. The space was lit only by the white twinkling lights of the Christmas tree shining a warm glow. She took my hand in hers. “How are you doing? Lots of surprising stuff in one day, huh?”
“Yeah. My brain hurts. I’m 500% done with today, and like 72% done with tomorrow already.”
“What can I do?”
“Well, if you can make it so vodka could come out of my shower head that would be a great first step.”
She giggled. “I’ll work on that.” She turned to me. “I didn’t know you back when you were with Levi, but I’d be blind if I didn’t notice how he looks at you.”
“You have a wild imagination. And maybe you’re crazy.”
“I’m not crazy. I prefer the term mentally hilarious.”
I put my head on her shoulder. “Then make me laugh. Do it now.”
“Ooh, a joke. What did the hurricane say to the coconut palm tree?”
“What?”
“Hold onto your nuts, this isn’t any ordinary blow job.”
“That’s awful. You are not the jokester of our crew.”
She gasped. “I take offence to that statement. I’m the chaos coordinator, mischief manager, and supervisor of shenanigans in our group. I wear many hats, you know.”
“So you’re the brains of our gang?”
“Hell, yes.” She reached to the bowl of Skittles on the coffee table and popped one in her mouth “Did you know the phrase “never odd or even” spelled backward is still “never odd or even”? I’m super-duper smart like that, Allison.”
