26
They were of course all intending to be surprised; but their astonishment was beyond their expectation. —Pride he looked so weary and sad and achingly handsome. “What do you think I should do, Dad?”
“Enjoy your last Christmas at home.”
“What do you mean by last?”
“Next year, you’ll be spending it with the shirtless almond grower,” he says a little wistfully.
“I don’t think so, Dad. I really messed things up.”
***
The Nightmare Before Christmas Birthday Party goes off without a hitch. My contribution—Liam’s pumpkin muffins—is a huge hit. I wear black lipstick and dye my hair green. I sent a pic to Liam, and he takes three hours to respond. I wonder if his mom and sister have arrived. Maybe they have bad reception at Tahoe.
Lettie
Are you at Tahoe yet?
Liam
Nope, not yet.
While I’m trying not to get scared by one of Gretta’s horror flicks. I send Liam a picture of the haunted gingerbread house my mom made at the party.
Liam
Sweet!
Will the gingerbread house get packed up with all the Halloween decor?
Lettie
We plan to scrape all the Halloween off tomorrow
Liam
So tomorrow’s the day you decorate for Christmas?
Lettie
You remembered
Liam
Of course!
Lettie
Yep, tomorrow we get the tree and decorate the house and play Christmas music all day ??
And it looks like it might snow.
Liam
So it will be the perfect Christmas
Lettie
Not quite
Liam
Why not?
Lettie
Fitz would make it perfect
The next day is exactly the whirlwind I described to Liam. Plus, I spend an extra-long time in the shower trying to wash the green dye out. Spoiler: it does not come out. My mom is going overboard decorating the house with mistletoe. She puts it everywhere: over the front door, on the ceiling in the beginning, middle, and end of the hallway, over the staircase, and, her personal favorite, right in front of the fridge. “Everyone stands there,” she says with a mischievous grin.
“Mom, why are you going wild with the mistletoe this year?”
“In honor of your book.”
“You’ve read it?” I ask.
“Everyone’s read it,” she deadpans.
This is kind of true. The whole imagined scandal with Liam got my book even more attention. Sales continue to increase, which should thrill me, except I haven’t heard from Liam all day.
I try not to let this drag me down. But it’s always in the back of my head and then I’m annoyed with myself for letting thoughts about a guy keep me from enjoying time with my family. I probably haven’t heard from him because he’s with his family. They’re probably all at Tahoe now. I recall that we shared locations right before Charlie and Jane’s wedding. I abruptly stop decorating the tree with Gretta and my mom and check Liam’s location. I stare at my phone for a long time. I must be looking at it wrong. I sit on the couch’s armrest because the cushions are covered with boxes of ornaments.
Liam’s circle is in Ames, Iowa. I look again. Maybe, I mistook him for Gretta or Tilly. Or perhaps something is wrong with my phone. There’s no way he’s at our house. The doorbell rings.
It can’t be him. Still, I pick up a large silver bauble to check my reflection. I’m wearing sweats, I have no makeup on, and my hair is an unpleasant shade of green.
I text him.
Lettie
Are you in Iowa?
Liam
Open your front door ??
Lettie
My hair is green
Liam
Green hair is hot!
I stare at my phone. I stare at the door.
Liam
I’m freezing out here
It’s starting to snow
Two knocks on the door. The sound gets me moving. I leap up and open the door. Liam Darcy stands on my doorstep in jeans, sturdy boots, and the same Icelandic sweater he wore to the Christmas party—snowflakes adorn his rumpled brown hair. Behind him, I spy Jane’s Audi.
“Liam! Did you drive here?”
He steps closer and whispers in my ear, “Merry Christmas, Lettie.”
“But you said . . . you would never drive . . . ”
He puts a hand on my waist. “I said I wouldn’t make that drive for love or money. But I was wrong.” He shrugs “Because I love you Lettie. I love you enough to make that drive a thousand times over.”
“Oh, Liam.” I throw my arms around him. In a flash, his cool lips are on mine, and he’s kissing me as if his life depends on making me happy, and he’s doing an excellent job. My eyes are closed, but inside, I’m lighting up like a Christmas tree. I kiss him back as he pulls me tight against his body. I slip a hand up his sweater on the warm, bare skin of his back. I’ve never been so happy and yet wanted so much more.
“Lettie’s rich boyfriend is here!” Gretta calls out from the doorway. We break apart, since our kissing was quickly becoming more than PG. I scowl at Gretta. Liam gives her a cool head nod. “You two didn’t even bother with the mistletoe Mom conveniently put up.” She points above the door.
Liam kisses my nose. “We’ll be sure to make the most of it.”
“Where’s that dog?” my sister asks.
“In the car,” says Liam. “I didn’t want him to steal my moment.”
Gretta bounds out to the car. I follow with Liam close by my side. I’m way too stunned and excited and happy to feel the cold. Fitz jumps out. He greets me and then Gretta.
As we pet Fitz, I ask Gretta. “How did you know about Fitz?”
“Did you think I’d bring a dog without checking with your parents?” Liam asks.
“They knew?” I turn to Gretta. “You knew. How long did you know?”
“At least three days.”
“But you lied... ” I turn to Liam. “You said your sister and mom were coming back and you were going to Tahoe.”
“I said they were coming home, and we were going to Tahoe. And that it should be a good Christmas. We are going to Tahoe for New Year’s, and it should be a VERY good Christmas.”
“Does that mean you’re staying for Christmas?” I ask breathlessly.
“Your parents agreed. But, of course, you have the final say.”
“Yes! I want you to stay. It’s all I want.” I pull him in for another long kiss while real snow, the type money can’t buy, falls gently upon us.