My dad drops onto the couch beside me, putting his arm around my shoulder. “I’m sure everything with him will sort itself out after the holidays.”
“Maybe.” I nod even though I know it won’t. Park never plans on seeing me again. And I shouldn’twantto see him again. I should let the chips fall where they may.
“Okay, as the official winner of the family gingerbread house competition,” my mom comes around the couch holding myI Sleighed Itfirst place award, “you get to open one present tonight.” She hangs my homemade ribbon on my stocking hook and turns to me. “Do you know what present you want to open?”
“Uh…” My gaze drifts under the tree to the present with the red bow. “I think I’ll open the present Park left for me. I’m curious to see what’s inside.”
My mom follows my gaze, bending down to pick up the gift. “Is it this one?”
“Yeah.”
She stretches her arm out, passing it to me. I slowly untie the ribbon as everyone watches in silence. My heart knocks into my ribs with each second. What if there’s something weird in the box, like the hand of a dead man that Park cut off? That would be really awkward, smelly, and hard to explain to my family. But since none of us feel the need to cover our noses, I think I can safely rule out decaying body parts.
I tear through the wrapping paper and open the box. On top is the Blitzen ornament that Park picked out a few days ago when we were shopping on Commercial Street. That was the ornament he chose so I would never forget him and the time we spent together this Christmas. I hadn’t seen the decoration since that night in the store when Park paid for it. But now I’m happy he thought to give it to me. Under the ornament is something black and silky. I pull it out, holding it in front of me.
“Oh, I love that dress,” my mom says.
I smile. “I do too.”
It’s the black silk dress I brought to the dressing room the first time we met. I’m speechless, and I’m sure my jaw is in my lap.
“There’s a note too.” My dad points to the bottom of the box.
I set the dress aside and open up the folded paper.
Lacee,
A woman like you should never settle for a mediocre New Year’s Eve. I only wish I could see you wear this dress. I know you’ll look beautiful. If you don’t mind, I’ll keep the Hydro Flask ornament to remind me of you. I think it was supposed to be mine anyway. Merry Christmas.
Park
Who the heck is this guy?
How did Park even accomplish this? The only thing I can think of is that he went back into the store and bought the dress after we spoke that day. The attention to detail and forethought is astonishing and heartwarming and romantic and… I don’t even know what else. I just know that I’ve never had anyone care about me enough to do something so personal and thoughtful.
“What does the note say?” Erika grabs it from my hand and reads it out loud. “A woman like you should never settle for a mediocre New Year’s Eve!”
“Aww.” Cassi is beside her, reading it too. “I only wish I could see you wear this dress. I know you’ll look beautiful!” Cassi’s voice gets louder with each word she reads until I feel like she’s shouting at me.
“This guy is adorable.” Erika whips around so she’s kneeling in front of me.
“I agree.” Cassi looks back and forth at my parents. “You can’t let her give up on him.”
My mom shrugs. “It’s Lacee’s choice, and if she says things are too complicated with Park, then we have to respect that.”
Erika’s expression turns fierce. “Uncomplicate them!”
“You guys don’t know the whole story.” I stand, reaching for Park’s note. “There’s nothing I can do. We can’t be together.”
“Oh, come on!” Erika rolls her eyes. “You’re the smartest person I know. Surely there’s something you can do to fix everything.”
I stare down at my sister. There’s a challenge in her blue eyes as if she doesn’t believe what I’m saying. Heck, I don’t know if I even believe it.
“Yeah, Lace.” Cassi smiles at me. “If you want to be with Park—and by the way, you’ve been moping around all day, I’m guessing you do—then get a little creative.”
My eyes skip to my dad, and he lifts his shoulders. “Maybe you can work things out. Maybe Park’s worth trying to make it work. Only you know the answer to that.”
I glance down at the Blitzen ornament in my hand.
