Page 47 of The Santa Rules
“But he’s okay? Everything’s okay?” I ask, trying to calm my nerves.
She holds my face in her hands and kisses the top of my nose. “Everything is fine. Just a moody teen. And we will pick up where we left off tomorrow. It’s already Wednesday, and we’ve only checked gingerbread off my emoji list.” She sighs. “Nothing ruins hump day like not getting humped.”
I smile as I nod against her face, thankful for her ability to ease the tension. “Tomorrow.”
Tell me why the thought of seeing her tomorrow suddenly feels like too long a wait. I’d nearly convinced myself to end things with her, but after our confessions, it feels like something has shifted between us. She pulls my lips to hers and kisses me tenderly, before blowing raspberries against my closed mouth and throwing her head back in laughter. I could get addicted to this. To her heart and her chaos. And while I cherish the memories I have of Lydie, I’m excited at the idea of creating something new with Bella. Now I need to get my head out of my ass and step up my game.
CHAPTER 15
HARDY
“If it isn’t my favorite firefighter,” Bella says, leaning against my open window in the carpool line the next afternoon as Avery hops in the back seat.
“What are you doing later?” I ask.
“I was going to finish sorting inventory. Why?” Her mouth crooks up on one side as she studies my face for clues.
“About that list you texted me… I know it’s your thing and all, but I found this spot while out on a call today. Even though it’s a school night, it’s the perfect weather for this, and I wanted to take some of the burden off you. You’ve been doing so much, I figured it’d be nice to plan something for you for a change. Plus, I don’t know if you’ll find a cooler spot to skate,” I say as her face lights up.
“We’re going skating?” Between the way I pout my lip and the excitement in Avery’s voice, there’s no way she’s going to deny us.
“I would love to.” Bella seems genuinely surprised, and it fills me with pride to know that I did that.
“Yes!” comes a cheer from the back seat.
“Great! We’ll pick you and Isaac up in an hour. Dress warm. Oh, and eat first. There aren’t a lot of food optionswhere we’re going, and I don’t know how late we’ll get back,” I call out as she heads back into the school.
I can’t get Avery to finish her plate on a good night, but right now that’s damn near impossible as she flits around, talking excitedly. It’s all I can do to get her to take a bite before she’s up and spinning around the room again.
When we get to Bella’s, I’m barely in the driveway when she’s out the door with Isaac close behind. He’s holding a giant thermos in his hands as he climbs into the truck behind me.
“Hey, Butterfly,” Isaac says to Avery.
“Hi, Giraffe.”
“Giraffe?” he questions.
“Yeah, because you’re tall and sometimes you have spots on your face.”
I struggle to hold it in, refusing to make eye contact with Bella or I’m going to lose the fight with my laughter. Instead, I look at Isaac in the rearview mirror, and he shrugs.
“So where are we headed?” Bella asks.
“Vixen Lake. You know it? It’s near Dasher Lane, off Prancer Road.” My smile is teasing as I check the rearview.
“Look at you being a comedian. Hardy har har. Oh my gosh, get it? Hardy har har?”
I hand her the phone with the address put in and slowly back out of the driveway. “Just point me in the right direction.”
“Haven’t you figured out that I’ve been doing that this whole time?” Her face turns to mine, and I return her smile as I pull onto the road.
“Are you sure there’s a lake out here?” Avery asks as we climb the steep gravel road. It’s a struggle to keep from sliding around, and I’m suddenly glad we took my truck.
“There is. It’s a little bit of a haul, but I promise it’s worth it.”
We hit a particularly slick patch of ice and fishtail a little as I struggle to keep control of the vehicle.
“Mom, are you okay?” Isaac asks from the back seat.
