Page 80 of Christmas Crisis
“Really?”
“Sure. The internet already thinks we’regoalsfor men and women being friends. Maybe we can make one part of this farce real, after all.”
“Just one part, huh?”
“What?”
“Nothing.” He used his booted toe to rock the swing back and forth. “I can live withfriends. As long as I don’t have to miss you.”
“I won’t leave you on read again,” I said. “If you call, I’ll pick up.”
“Same.”
“Even if you become a big movie star?”
“Especially then.”
I smiled. Stone could be a total potato, but sometimes he said the perfect thing.
He stretched his arms along the back of the swing, gazing out onto the street. Every house had lights and decorations.
“This really is one of the coolest small towns I’ve ever seen,” he said. “I didn’t pay much attention last year when I posted your sister’s video, but this place is a total vibe.”
“You haven’t seen anything yet. Can you stay a few more days? We have the Hoopla on Saturday. That’s peak holiday around here.”
He grunted and shook his head. “I have to get back tomorrow. But I’m glad I came…even if it was to get my heart stomped on.” His tone teased, but he couldn’t totally disguise the regretful undercurrent. “Miranda?”
“Hmm?”
“I appreciate you waiting to break up in person. I think we deserved that. But now that it’s official, can I tell you something…as your friend?”
“Of course.”
“If I call you up to hang out in LA in, say, three months, and you tell me you’re still dating Leo, I want you to know that I’m not gonna be mad about it.”
I squirmed, feeling my cheeks heat. “What?”
“Ten minutes ago, you said I’d see that we fooled ourselves into believing we could be long-term. And I do see. Now. I see clearly for the first time since we met. And I think you do too.” He brought my hand to his mouth and kissed my knuckles. “You said you wantedmore… Darlin’, I sincerely hope you get it.”
6 WEEKS AGO - HALLOWEEN
It wasn’t working.
I’d given it over two months, pushed myself to look past the distance and focus on the times Stone and I were together. Forced myself to enjoy his company, to appreciate his beauty and his snarky sense of humor.
But it wasn’t enough.
I did notloveStone, and every time we talked, I fell increasingly out oflikewith him.
Plus, I’d stopped sharing his bed.
He’d flown into town twice more since August, and I’d begged off both times. Thank goodness he was thick enough not to question that I’d been on my period more than once in a four-week span.
In my heart, I knew it was memories of Leo that had me balking at intimacy with Stone. I was more excited by the recollection of Leo’s unintended hard-on than by the prospect of actual sex with Stone. And that wasn’t fair to either of us.
I needed to call it, but I also had to work up to that. Because I was great at keeping things static.
Change required a plan of attack.
