Page 59 of Grinch Girl

But at the holidays, Kelly was very tenuous in her recovery. If I took my eyes off her for more than a day or two, I was sure she’d relapse. So no traveling for me, but I was positive that all would be forgiven as soon as Bella crossed the threshold of Greta’s house for the holiday break. But at the last moment, she invited Greta to spend the holiday with her out of town. A pattern that was repeated every single year.

I certainly never meant to stay in Falworth forever. But Kelly and Greta both needed me. Money came and went, and there was never very much. I picked up shifts; I took night classes at the local tech college; I dated.

Someone needed to help with the shop. With winter chores. When Greta fell on the ice and got a concussion. When one of Kelly’s friends convinced her to go on a road trip and she managed not to relapse—but she did call me from the side of theroad in Iowa and asked me to pick her up before she made a bad decision.

Part of me wanted to explain all of this to whoever cared to listen, and part of me wanted to give the finger to anyone who dared to ask. I didn’t mean to stay forever, but time just kept passing. My teenage dreams didn’t make sense anymore, and this wasn’t the kind of town that inspired a lot of new ideas.

I wasn’t scared, Bella, but I did get stuck.

Chapter Eighteen

December 20 cameand went. Nate texted and called several times, but I never responded. I should have been a grown-up, picked up the phone, and just told him that I was no longer interested. But I was not a good liar. If I actually spoke to him, it would be obvious that I was still very interested. Luckily, my brain was able to overrule my mushy feelings.

Michael could do whatever he wanted with Bella, but I was done contributing to my own heartbreak.

Nate wasn’t the only one I was avoiding. Bella had left several messages, first just asking me to call her back and then reminding me about Greta’s Christmas Eve wish. I deleted the messages without responding. I really had to just wait them both out. The end of the year was coming quickly, and then I wouldn’t have to deal with either of them at all. As it was, I’d limit our interactions strictly toSingle Bellsevents. Neither of them would attempt any super-personal conversation with so many other people and cameras around.

I took on a crazy amount of extra shifts at the resort on the twentieth and twenty-first, simply sleeping in the employee breakroom between them. Because it was efficient. Because I shouldn’t have been driving the forty minutes home when I was exhausted. It was for safety reasons—not because I was avoiding the parking lot of my own apartment building. Thank goodness Sean and Bruce loved one another so much. I’m sure they were both enjoying the multi-day sleepover.

At my request, Sean met me at the area’s one Starbucks to plan for the next web series event. “This would have been a loteasier at your kitchen table,” he grumbled, trying to find a power outlet for his laptop.

I let the comment slide and brought up the weather app on my phone. “It’s looking good for a beach bonfire, thank God. Not too windy and not too cold.”

We spent the next couple of minutes debating how the cameramen might best avoid tripping into the actual fire and other logistics. Carol had arranged for a local band to play bluegrass music and a catering service to serve drinks. We hadn’t opened the event to the general public, but we’d invited all of the Falworth small business owners and their extended families.

We’d decided on the beach venue to remind viewers how close Falworth was to the lake.Single Bellsparticipants had been instructed to talk about all the wonderful water sports and activities they took advantage of in warmer weather. “We’ll prime the pump for summer tourism,” Carol insisted.

Sean emitted a long-suffering sigh. “Carol also reminded the group to mention the NYE party at every possible opportunity because she wants to start selling tickets immediately after the bonfire. She and Jim have figured out the booze situation, but she hasn’t decided on a venue yet. Apparently, nothing in Falworth is upscale enough for her ‘vision.’ She’s got her heart set on the ballroom of the Wontana Yacht Club, and she’s negotiating the rate.”

“I know, I know.” I sighed. She’d been blowing up our group texts constantly, driving everyone crazy with pictures of gold and black decorations, candlelit highboy tables, and freakin’ cocktail shrimp.

Sean pointed a finger in my face. “You need to talk her out of the black-tie dress code. There’s no way we’re gonna get people wearing tuxedos.”

I laugh-groaned. “Done. I will get her to downshift to cocktail attire.”

“Even that’s a stretch for people around here,” Sean said.

He was absolutely right, but… “The party isn’t for people around here. It’s for tourists who expect to dress up and have champagne on New Year’s Eve.”

All right. Couldn’t avoid it anymore. It was time to focus back on the dates. I pulled up the dashboard for the series. “Viewing numbers look good,” I said approvingly.

He smiled. “People loved the Diane and Tripp ice-skating spectacle.”

Of course they did. They also ate up Tripp’s post-date plea to the camera in which he’d begged for viewers to vote them paired again. “She’s the most incredible woman I’ve ever dated,” he’d gushed.

I braced myself. “So, what are the pairings for our penultimate episode?”

Sean cracked his knuckles, prolonging my anticipation. “Diane and Tripp, naturally. Then, our usuals: Jim and Nicole, Bella and Michael.”

So that only left… “Am I with Brian?” I asked, hope clear in my voice.

Sean shook his head. “No. Brian’s with Mabel. I thought you’d be happy about that,” he exclaimed, when my face fell.

“I am happy. For them,” I clarified. “But that means I’m with Nate.”

Sean’s eyebrows rose almost to his hairline. “Kind of thought you’d be happy about that too, given the sounds coming from his apartment a few nights ago.”

Oh God. I knew our tryst in the shower stall had been too loud. “Not another word,” I warned.

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