Page 68 of Not For Keeps
My hands slide up his chest, finding the curve of his jaw, and when I tilt my head, he exhales like he’s home. The world around us fades. There’s no music, no laughter, no mistletoe. Just this—just him, and me, and this kiss that feels like everything I’ve ever been missing. And I think he feels the same way too.
When we finally break apart, the room erupts in cheers. Mari whistles. Andres lifts his wine in the air. Anna wipes a dramatic fake tear from the corner of her eye. Maya grins so wide it looks like it might split her face.
Mateo presses his forehead to mine. “Merry Christmas, chula.”
“Merry Christmas,” I whisper back, my voice catching on something I don’t have words for yet.
Chapter Twenty-One
ANALYSE
My phone buzzes while I’m in the middle of drying dishes, and I glance over to see a new group chat forming.
One new message from Let’s Make Bad Decisions Tonight.
Immediately, I pause. Because nothing good starts with Anna and wanting to make bad decisions. I still remember the matching tattoos her and Mari got on Mari’s twenty-first birthday because they were drinking too much.
Anna
Let’s go out tonight!
More messages follow in rapid succession.
Anna
I’m talking dancing. Drinking. Reggaeton. Possibly karaoke.
Mari
You had me at dancing.
Seb
She had me at bad decisions.
Andres
If there’s dancing, I’m gonna need a minimum of 3 drinks first.
Nathan
I’ll go, but I need to keep my bad decisions at a minimum. Anna, do I need to wear glitter again? I’ll do it. But just know it’ll be begrudgingly.
I laugh under my breath just as another message comes in.
Anna
YES. ALL of you. Tonight. No excuses. We survived Christmas Eve, so this is our reward. We’re going OUT.
Mateo
Out like…“out out”?
Anna
YES, MATEO, put on your nice shoes.
I chime in finally.
