Page 76 of The Holiday Grump
Mom studied me, searching my face for cracks. “I almost believe you.”
I smiled. No faking this time. “Happy as a clam.”
She looked stunned. “Well, great. Can we talk about Christmas arrangements? Felicity’s hosting again. Her house is small, but I think we’ll fit in somehow, since neither of my children are bringing partners.” She cast me desolate look. “Your grandpa is coming, of course. I helped him buy presents online. There’s this website that sells locally made… garments.”
“Underpants?”
“Yeah.” She grimaced.
“Do you need my house? I can heat it up.” I didn’t know how it was possible to be surprised by your own words, but I was. I didn’t even want to take them back. Maybe it was time for me to volunteer for something.
“Are you serious?” Mom gaped at me.
“You need space. I have space.” I was already regretting this.
Her grin spread wide as she surveyed the room, already decorating in her mind. “It’s going to be perfect! Does this mean you’re bringing your girlfriend, then?”
“What girlfriend?”
“Noelle!”
“We’re not dating.”
She smirked. “Of course you are. I wasn’t sure before, but now I know.”
“What? Because I’m letting you host Christmas here? I’m not cooking, by the way. All you’re getting is the house and some heat.”
She just kept smiling. “I can’t wait to meet her!”
“You won’t. She’s only in town for the holidays, and nothing is going on between us. Nothing.” I probably sounded too sharp, but I couldn’t have her spreading rumors.
Mom raised her hands. “Fine. Have it your way.”
“If you want to use my house, you won’t spread stories about Noelle and me. Got it?”
She nodded.
“I finally finished the bathroom. You want to see it?”
I had to get her out of here before Noelle gave herself a spinal injury.
CHAPTER 25
Noelle
Icrawled out of the cupboard, feeling like a fool.
There was nothing going on between us?
My brain knew he was protecting our privacy, but my heart whined in protest. Did he have to say it with that much gusto? The craziest thing was that I already liked his mom. She sounded fun.
Bracing my sore back, I tiptoed out of the kitchen. I would have loved this floor plan as a kid because it allowed you to run laps around it. If Fredrik kept his mom in the renovated downstairs bathroom, I could sneak around the other way and go upstairs.
I remembered the stairs being a bit squeaky, so I climbed them, hugging the wall and holding my breath until I made it to the farthest bedroom upstairs. Holy shit, it was cold! I was starting to agree with Fredrik’s mom. He really neededto turn on some heaters. The house was too large to stay warm with one fireplace.
After a moment of hopping around and rubbing my arms to keep warm, I heard the front door close, then Fredrik’s footsteps on the stairs.
“She’s gone,” he informed me from the doorway. “Come down and sit by the fire.”
