Page 8 of Mr. Merry Ex-Mas
We sit in silence together, and my heart flutters as the memories wash over me. We started off so good together. He was fun, and we had amazing banter. It was sexy and hot, and he always knew how to tease me without going too far. But then I’m not sure what happened. Maybe it was me. Maybe I had a bad day, but every time he’d try to joke around, it got me mad. It felt like he didn’t see me, and the more he didn’t see me, the more he tried to tease. I don’t understand why he kept picking on me.
“For what it’s worth, I think he still really likes you, but he’s afraid. You always have a plan, and some days, he can’t even find his car keys.”
“Mhmm. But I can’t live like that. And I definitely don’t want to fall into old patterns.”
“Then don’t. Make new ones, ya know? Maybe ones that involve fewer fights and more actual talking before the fight? Iget that you’re into the hate-fucking, but sometimes loving, dirty talk is hotter.”
“Kylie!” I throw the pillow back at her as she dissolves into laughter. I lean my head back on the couch. “I don’t know if I can trust him, ya know? And I don't mean with another woman, I mean in life. Like following a budget or not drinking the last of the milk or putting his socks away–”
“You're looking for excuses now.”
“I’m not! I’m used to life alone. And I’m used to having things done a certain way. He comes in and turns that upside down.”
“Ya know, I didn’t know if I could trust myself to be someone’s mom. But sometimes you just have to take the leap.” She smiles softly at me and runs her hand over her growing belly.“What if he’s your leap?”
“Is that a discreet way of saying he’ll make me jump off a cliff?”
She laughs. “If anything, you’d be the one to push him.”
6
DANNY
“Liam! Order anything you want. Your dad’s paying tonight.”
I snicker as Matt gives me the middle finger hidden behind his menu. The three of us are having dinner at Big Chowder tonight, while Sadie and Kylie are having sister time. The place is packed as usual and decorated in Christmas everything. We’re inside tonight because the deck is closed for the winter, but the familiar hometown feel of this place is as strong as ever.
“You live such a sad life. You have to hang out with me while your fiancé is with her sister?”
“You’re right. You’d think I’d learn by now. I saw how you corrupted me when we were kids. Now, you’re teaching my kid, and we’re spending nights together. This can’t be good.”
“I loved having Mr. Love for a teacher! Now, I have that cranky ol’ Mrs. Burner. She doesn’t make fifth grade fun at all.”
I reach out and bump fists with Liam. “I’m sorry, pal. I’m stuck in the fourth grade for life, but you have a chance out.” I lean in and whisper, “Take it!”
Matt barks a laugh. “You’re unreal.”
“Just giving it to him straight.”
I chuckle and skim the menu, but I’m not really reading. Today was weird. Sadie and I had our usual sarcastic banter. The exact behavior she’s fighting then falls for. It’s not that I was trying to get her to throw herself at me, but I was hoping for a little nostalgia, maybe?
I’d seen Sadie busy before, but this week has been something else.
Since working together on this gala, she hasn’t so much as looked at me for longer than three seconds. She’s always rushing around the room, always glued to that damn list like it was a lifeline. If she isn’t buried in her lists, she is directing people with military precision, eyes never once landing on me for more than it took to nod hello.
Or tell me I’m late.
Or in the way.
And if by chance we did get a few barbs in, she actively shut them down.
I’m being patient, but I’m over it now. Because when she cut me down today? It felt like where we were when we crossed the line and couldn’t go back.
I don’t want to feel that way anymore.
“Okay, tell me why I’m here.” He puts his hand up. “Though I’m guessing it’s because she's giving you a hard time and not thehardtime you really want, right?”
I glance at Liam, who’s busy playing some game on his phone.
