Page 68 of In Your Wildest Dreams
“Every part of me likes him,” I say honestly. “But it was one kiss. He knows it’s as bad of an idea as I do.”
“You’re not a bad idea. He likes you too.”
I don’t know what to think. But I’m going to be gone for a couple of weeks, so I don’t have to figure anything out today.
I put the rest of the muffin on my nightstand. “I should shower and pack. What are you going to do all break?”
“Sleep in, hang with Grace until she goes to Hawaii, go to some hockey games. My mom is coming up on Christmas Day and then I might go with Ty and Piper to visit her family the day after. When will you be back?”
“I’m not sure. I’m scheduled to work on the third, so I’ll be back by then.”
Everly scrambles to her feet. “Be right back.”
While she’s gone, I swing my feet over the side of the bed and get up. Ugh. I need a shower.
Last night was fun. Next time I need to drink less and remember to do my skincare routine before bed, but nonetheless, I’m really happy I went out with Everly and Grace.
I missed this so much. Going out with friends and then spending the next day talking about it and laughing at all the dumb stuff we did. Except the dumb stuff in my past was never quite as exciting as kissing a hot hockey player.
Everly comes back into my room as I’m pulling out my suitcase from the closet. She’s carrying a red giftbag with white ribbons hanging off the handle.
“Merry Christmas.”
The back of my eyes sting with the threat of tears as she hands over the present. In true Everly fashion, the outside of the present is picture-perfect. “You didn’t need to get me anything.”
“I know. I wanted to. Open it.”
I remove the white tissue paper until I pull out a flat, rectangular wrapped item. “You could be a professional gift wrapper.”
She snorts. “I’m a bit of a perfectionist.”
I tear the smooth paper and unfold it until I reveal a wooden picture frame. Me, Grace, and Everly have our faces squished together. The Wildcat hockey arena is the background. I barely remember taking the photo at the game we went to last week because I was nervous about seeing Ash. But despite that, I look happy. Iamhappy.
I run my finger over the bottom of the frame. Our names and the date are painted in pretty lettering. “Did you make this?”
“I bought the frame, but yeah, I painted it.”
“I love it.” I hold it to my chest. “Seriously. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I have a little something for you too.” I set the picture down on my nightstand and open the first drawer where I stashed Everly and Grace’s gifts. I wasn’t sure if we’d do this. I had just planned on leaving them on the kitchen counter before I left for home.
“It’s just something silly.”
She tears into the present with more excitement than it deserves. When she sees what’s inside, she looks up and smiles. “Oh my gosh. Bridge, this is beautiful.”
She pulls out the snow globe and shakes it.
“It reminded me of the night we were snowed in and watched movies.”
“The first night we all really hung out together.” She smiles at me and then stares at the fake snow falling inside the little globe. “I love it so much. It’s perfect.”
The doorbell rings as she hugs me.
“I wonder who that is,” she says.
“You’re not expecting anyone?”
