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Hanging out was just what I needed.
The image of Hawk’s handsome face as he’d offered his hand to help me up from the ice, as he’d asked me to the ball, the sound of his voice like warm honey, swarmed and brought carbonation with it to fizz and pop inside my ribs.
There wasso muchto tell her.
A new thought struck. The invitation I’d received had mentioned I could bring a guest to the ball with me.
Adelie was secretly a princess on the inside. The idea of dressing up in a fancy gown, of getting dolled up, of dancing the night away with a few handsome men, would be right up her alley.
Though I had a date with Hawk, couldn’t I bring her along?
Adelie could find a date. Or maybe Hawk had a friend he could set her up with…
The idea extinguished. Adelie was as shy and reserved as they came. I’d been against a blind date with Hawk on a matter of principle, not because I’d been too shy to meet him.
In all reality, she’d probably hate the idea of going to a ball and having that much attention.
“That would be great, Grammy. I might be late, though.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, there’s this dance I’ve been asked to go to tomorrow.” Just saying the words set off a sparkler in my stomach. “I’m not sure what time I’ll be done.”
“Sounds fabulous,” Grammy said with mischief in her tone. “So no Christmas Eve, then. You’ll be here Christmas morning?”
“I’ll be there.” I couldn’t shake the lump that hardened in my stomach. “Assuming Stina doesn’t pull a fast-one on me.”
“What does that mean? You need to find a new job. You need to get out from that woman’s thumb. You?—”
“I’m quitting,” I told her, exhilarating at the words.
I’d thought them for so long, saying them aloud was epic.
“Really, now?”
“Really.”
“Well, now. That’s my Ella girl. It’s bad enough she’s uninvited you from your own family home. I’m glad you’re sticking up for yourself.”
“Thanks, Grammy. Me, too.”
And I was. I just hated the unease lumpinginside of me.
Stina had threatened me because of it. She wouldn’t do anything to me. She couldn’t.
I wouldn’t give the matter a second thought. And let her ruin another Christmas?
Not happening.
“You’ll find another job,” Grammy went on. “A job where they’ll gobble up that perky attitude of yours, where they’ll actually appreciate all your hard work.
“I’ve told you this before, but that Stina took you for granted. You deserve to celebrate Christmas just like everyone else, and you’ll be spending it with me.”
I swiped at my cheeks. My heart was so full, so grateful.
“You go to that dance, Ella girl. Go enjoy yourself and then start living your life for yourself instead of for Stina Malus.”
I forced away the tightness in my throat. How did Grammy always manage to say exactly what I needed to hear?
