Page 82 of See Me

“Thanks, I think.” I shake my head and tear off their order. “I guess I’ll just take all your advice,” I dramatically smash my hands together and then throw my arms out to the sides, “and just smoosh it together to make one giant messed up plan. What am I supposed to do with all that? Seriously?”

Cassie stands and rubs my arms. “Hey, whatever you do, we’re here for you. You want to pretend until it’s over and part ways, that’s totally fine. If you want to make a go for it and see who he really is, that’s fine too. We’re here no matter what. Emergency lunches whenever you need us.”

I pull her into a hug. “Thanks. You’re right. I know you can’t tell me exactly what I should do. My life is such a mess right now. I don’t feel confident making any of my own decisions. I mean, look where I am. I’ve messed this up big time.”

“You haven’t messed anything up. Your path has just been a little… rougher than it needed to be. But you got this. And you’ve got us.” Cassie pulls back from the hug and smiles.

“Now go get our food, wench,” Alex yells, fork raised in the air.

I laugh. “Coming right up.

TWENTY-FIVE

STORY FOR ANOTHER TIME

I spendthe elevator ride quieting the screams of my very pushy vagina and fanning the flames of my inner fiery redhead. I know my friends told me to get to know him, but my self preservation tells me to put my bitchface in place and keep him at a safe distance. I have a feeling I know who’s going to win, but my pride still thinks she has a horse in the race.

I rifle through my purse to dig out my keys and when I look up to unlock the door, I see my peephole, at eye level.

Nope.

Don’t do it.

Aww.

The butterflies in my stomach can’t waitto get the door open, my pride feels the reins slipping through her fingers, and my vagina just pulled out a ukulele to strum along with her siren song.

Son of a biscuit.

I’m hit with the scent of evergreen when the door swings open. I follow the trail of loose needles until I raise my head to see Luca next to a Christmas tree standing at least twelve feet tall.

Fudge.

Me and my pride are so screwed.

My vagina dances the hula.

I drop my purse on the couch and put my hands on my hips, trying to summon my bitchface. She’s apparently looking for a grass skirt to join my vagina in a dance, because I smile. “What’s all this?”

Luca pulls his hat off, runs his hands through his hair and tugs it back on. “You didn’t have a tree. Or any decorations.”

Tuesday rolls around under the tree tangled up in garland.

“I see. Well, thank you. I’ll just go to my room and get some work done and leave you be.”

“Don’t you want to help me decorate?” Tuesday takes off running, and her garland strand catches on a box of ornaments, sending them clambering to the floor. Luca bends to pick them up. “I don’t think she’s going to be much help, and I’ve never really done this before.”

“You’ve never decorated a tree before?”

“Not by myself. Gram always had us help, but she was very particular. And even after following her instructions, she would still move them when we were done.” He laughs at the memory.

His laugh warms me, and I find myself picking up a box of decorations without a second thought. “Your Gram? Is that who raised you?”

He diverts his eyes and nods. “Yeah, me and Enzo. And our cousin Evie for a while.”

“She must’ve been one helluva woman to deal with you two.”

His eyes find mine for a mere second before landing back on the floor. “That she was. And Evie was just as much trouble as us boys.”

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