Page 22 of Hashtag Holidate
“Are, too,” the two of them said at the same time before breaking into laughter.
I dropped my head into my hands. “Don’t you both have literally anywhere else to be?”
“Not when this is happening.” Maya scrolled through more comments. “Oh my god, someone made a compilation of every time you almost smile at him. It’s set to ‘Can’t Fight This Feeling.’”
I groaned. “That’s it. I’m moving to Alaska.”
“Alaska has influencers, too,” Alex pointed out helpfully. “Andprobably worse internet for uploading your obvious sexual tension with them.”
I threw a lens cap at his head. He caught it, laughing.
“I hate both of you,” I announced, standing up. “And I’m going to the store, where at least the power tools don’t try to make something out of nothing.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Maya said cheerfully. “I’m sure the screwdrivers and drills could?—”
“Stop now, I beg of you!” I cried, stopping her from making whatever raunchy insinuation she was going for. “You’re my baby sister, for crying out loud. Jesus.”
I grabbed my jacket, pointedly ignoring them both. “I have actual work to do. A business to run. Bills to pay. A Christmas photo shoot for the McClures and their dogs tonight. You know, real-life stuff that doesn’t involve shipping or viral videos or?—”
Pretty boys.
My phone buzzed. Again.
Adrian
Hey. So Marco had to cancel. Any chance you’re free to…?
“Don’t even think about it,” I muttered to my phone before sending him a single-word response.No.
“Was that Adrian?” Maya asked, her tone far too innocent. “Because I heard there was a, um,thingscheduled at the firehouse, so?—”
“No.” I pointed at her. “Absolutely not. Rule number three exists for a reason.”
“Yeah, because you’re scared,” she shot back. “Scared of actually letting someone see past your grumpy shell. Scared of admitting that maybe, just maybe, the universe is trying to tell you something.”
“The universe isn’t trying to tell me anything,” I argued. “Just because we’re both gay doesn’t mean we somehow belong together, Maya. Don’t be that guy. Girl. Whatever.”
Her smile dropped, and she glared at me. “Unfair hit below the belt.”
I closed my eyes and inhaled while Alex, thankfully, stayed quiet. “Sorry. You’re right. Sorry.”
Maya reached out and touched my arm. “I just think it’s time for you to live a little, Maddie. Stop taking everything so seriously. Go on a date. Let yourself have a little fun.”
“It’s not fun, it’s a job,” I reminded her, but my heart wasn’t in it. I was tired. Tired from working, tired from trying so hard to keep all the balls in the air. Tired of being the grumpy one.
Tired of being alone.
I remembered the way Adrian’s fingers had felt brushing my nose, how his laugh had sounded when it was genuine, how his eyes had sparkled when challenging my opinions on lavender hot chocolate.
My phone buzzed again.
Adrian
You can’t deny the on-screen chemistry was great. C’mon. It’ll be quick. In and out. You said the tree farm opens at 10, we can be done by 11:30. Professional. Painless.
“Fuck,” I muttered, letting my head thunk against the doorframe.
Because he wasn’t wrong. The chemistry had been great. The footage was compelling. And something about trading barbs with Adrian Hayes had made me feel more alive than I’d felt in years.
