Playful Kris (Naughty List)

1. Kameron

1

KAMERON

“Can you believe that Christmas is literally in two months?” My best friend, Cora, says as we walk down Main Street.

We’ve been shopping for the last hour, picking out different Christmas decorations for our house. The two of us have been inseparable since high school, we roomed together in college, then decided to get a house together once we graduated.

“It feels like this year has really flown by,” I tell her. I swear it’s like Easter was last weekend, now Halloween is this weekend. And why the stores put Christmas decor out so soon is beyond me, but I’m not complaining.

It’s my favorite holiday of the year, and I want to go all out in our house since it’s our first year to actually be able to decorate a home.

“That’s because it has.” Cora laughs, pointing at another store. I grab the handle of the door, pulling it open and letting Cora step in first. “These are cute.” She points at a Christmas tree that is already decorated with the cutest country ornaments and buffalo plaid ribbon.

“That is cute.” I step up beside her, thumbing a few of the ornaments. “We should incorporate some of these onto our tree.”

“Yes!” Cora squeals.

We grab a few of the ornaments that we like and a couple rolls of the ribbon. That should be enough to decorate the small tree we have. Our house isn’t big enough for the massive tree we really wanted, actually it isn’t big enough for the multiple trees we wanted.

Once all of our items are rung up at the counter, the woman explains to us how to get the ribbon to look the same way it does on her tree. I watch her loop the ribbon together as if my life depends on it. She makes it look so easy.

Feeling pretty confident, we grab our bags and start the trek to Cora’s car. I don’t actually own my own car, my parents could never afford to buy me one, and when I was in college I didn’t really need one. Now that I have a decent paying job, I’m trying to save up money for a down payment and all the other expenses that come with purchasing a car.

Thankfully, Cora lets me borrow hers whenever I need it, so it’s not too terrible.

We walk along the sidewalk of Birchwood Hills, and I’m immediately reminded of why Cora and I fell in love with this little town.

I grew up only a couple of hours away from here, so I’ve seen it on maps, and I’ve heard of people visiting from time to time, but I’d never actually made the trip until the position at the Chamber of Commerce opened up and was sent to our college.

That’s how I got the job.

Even for such a small town, the streets are busy. Cars slowly pull through the main strip that runs through town, people are running errands since most of the stores are located on the main strip.

The bakery, the bank, the flower shop.

It’s the epitome of a Hallmark movie town.

I’ve never actually seen it at Christmas, but I’m more than excited just by the way the town is decorated for Halloween already.

Birchwood is nestled right next to the Mississippi River, but on the Tennessee side, so you constantly hear the river running along the west side of town. It almost provides a beachy feel because of it, even though the water is not nearly as pretty to look at as the ocean, and you can’t swim in it unless you want to be swept away by the current.

“I love how they’ve decorated the town. The Chamber really does take the holidays seriously here.” Cora smiles, pointing out a few decorated pumpkins as we pass by the bank.

“It’s honestly probably one of my favorite things about the town. I love how the entire community gathers together for the holidays.” I sigh, wishing it was more like this back home.

Unfortunately, my small town is so run down that you have to drive thirty minutes to an hour for everything you need.

Groceries? Long trip.

Doctor? Long trip.

You get the gist.

“We better grab some lunch, and head back to the office. We have that team meeting after lunch, and I don’t want to be late for it again.” She palms her forehead and shakes her head.

Last month, Cora was on coffee duty, and trying to remember things without writing them down. Cora’s brain doesn’t work that way. She needs a checklist to function, and constant reminder alerts in her phone. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be as successful as she is.

Her not remembering coffee orders ended up with her being late to the meeting and still having coffee orders wrong. The only one she got right that day was mine, not even hers was correct.

“At least you’re not on duty today for it.” I point at the bakery and shift our direction. “I, however, am on donut duty.”

The bell chimes as we step inside, and the smell of sugar wraps around me. I love the smell of a bakery, it puts a smile on my face every single time.

“God, now I’m hungry.” Cora laughs from next to me as we wait in line.

One guy checks out, grabbing his things and says his thank you as he turns to leave. He catches my eye, and I smile to be polite, but he keeps staring.

Staring to the point that I feel like I have something on my face, or in my teeth. Something.

“Well, I’d say he’s interested.” Cora giggles, looking over her shoulder.

I don’t turn around until I hear the door chime and shut, telling me that he’s already outside.

When I do, he’s long gone, and I can’t help but shake that odd interaction.

“He can be interested all he wants, but that was weird as hell.” I chuckle, shaking my head and stepping closer to the counter.

The person in front of us puts in a long order, taking the last of the chocolate donuts. I groan, I wanted one of those.

Oh, well. I guess a mix of cookies and donuts won’t be so bad.

I stare at the case, taking in what inventory they have so I can have my order prepared when it’s my turn.

“That was kind of strange, but you know, you are new here.” She shrugs.

“So are you,” I point out, reminding my friend that we moved to Birchwood at the same time.

“Yeah, but he wasn’t staring at me.” She nudges me with her elbow, and I nudge her right back. “I’m just saying.” She laughs. “It wouldn’t be a bad idea to put yourself out there.”

“And I’m just saying,” I throw her words right back at her, “I’ve sworn off men and I’m focused on my career for now.” I turn to look at my best friend. “We have a lot going on in our lives. Moving, settling into our new town, getting a good foot in the door at our jobs.”

She taps a finger to her chin. “While I agree with everything you’ve just said, I still don’t think it’s a bad idea to just see what’s out there.” She shrugs, stepping closer to the counter when another steps away. Thankfully, it’s our turn so I’m able to relay my order over and am saved by the bell when it cuts this conversation so I can pay.

The minute the box is in my hands and we’re turning to leave, Cora starts in again.

“It’s been like two years since you and Kris broke up, what’s the harm in just making friends?”

I love my best friend, but she truly doesn’t know when to leave well enough alone.

“I’m just not looking for anything serious in life right now.” I pull the door open, letting Cora step through first before following her back onto the busy sidewalk.

“Exactly!” She wiggles her brows at me, and I can’t hold in the laugh that escapes me. “You don’t need anything serious, just something casual and fun.”

“Oh, you have an answer for everything, huh?”

“You have no idea.” She winks, bumping her hip into mine.

I roll my eyes, but don’t smile. The entire trip back to Cora’s car I’m thinking about the one person I’ve worked hard to push from my mind for the last two years, and I was doing good.

Until Cora opened her big fat mouth.