Page 58 of Terms and Traditions

Yeah, this definitely wasn’t a great breakup because Hailey was never sharp. I arched an eyebrow, and she mirrored me. “Touché.”

“It was mutual. We’re fine. He has his singing career; I have mine. Can we leave it at that for now?” Hailey yawned, stretching her hands over her head. “I’m going to catch a quick shower.”

“Hey.” I stopped her once she reached for the doorknob. I knew deflection when I saw it. “I’ll listen when you’re ready.”

Hailey nodded and slipped out into the hall, pajamas draped over her arm.

Once she was gone, I reached for my phone. After Nash, that kiss, Hiram, and my bathroom breakdown, I needed my friends. In the faint light of the bronze touch-lamp with idyllic forget-me-nots printed on its frosted glass shades, I tapped the button for a four-way video call.

Liz was the first one to connect, her hair curled up into two space buns and looking adorable in a silvery wrap dress. And was her lipstick smudged? “Steph, are you okay?”

Just hearing her calming voice eased my tight breathing. “Hey, yeah. I just…” Just what? I bit my lip and snuggled under the covers. “Did I interrupt something?”

She laughed. “Just a bit of mistletoe. I’m still at Ben’s parents. Did something happen?” There was a small scuffle on her end, a whisper, and then it was quiet again.

“I—”

“Hey, what’s going on?” Paisley’s face filled the screen, her slightly too-large glasses dwarfing her delicate face as she shoved them up the bridge of her nose. “Merry Christmas Eve!”

Rosie barked in the background, but before I could answer, Juliet joined. Only… it wasn’t Juliet. It was a very awkward angle of her… ceiling?

“Jules?” I said.

“Uh… no,” said a very masculine voice that was decidedly not Juliet. “She’ll be a minute.”

Liz cackled. “Oh my gosh, Myles!”

“It’s not what you think,” Myles groused. “She’s finishing gift wrapping and asked me to answer while she’s putting the presents under the tree.”

That tracked since Juliet was a notorious Christmas Eve gift wrapper. But I had to laugh, clearly picturing the Caldwell Chargers’ quiet goalie with his man bun in the epitome of discomfort at having to answer a girls’ video chat. It wasn’t like we were indecent or anything, but comical nonetheless.

“Thanks, babe!” Juliet sang followed by a definitive kissing noise. She was a grinch for all but that man.

“Jules,” Paisley groaned.

“Sorry, give me a minute.” Her background changed from the ceiling to the pink-themed Christmas tree in her living room. “What’s up, Steph?”

“Nash kissed me. Or I kissed him.” Technically that living room kiss was on me. But the pantry… Yeah, he started that even if I asked. That sent the fireworks off.

“Are you serious?” from Paisley.

A piglet squeal imitation—definitely Liz.

“Wait, that was what you wanted, right?” A very Juliet question. And given what they knew about Jarrett, a fair one.

I sighed softly. “Yeah. It was a mistletoe kiss in front of my family.”

“Oh.” Liz hummed softly. “So it was for show.”

“Kind of.” I blew out a breath, pinching the bridge of my nose. Maybe one day you’ll let me kiss you for real. Those words etched into my brain on a loop, and I recited them to the girls, followed by the pantry saga.

“Wow, Steph…” Juliet mused. “I know I was reluctant about this in the beginning, but he’s good for you. Like, really good.”

“I just wish I could see all this cuteness firsthand,” Paisley sighed dreamily. “It’s so much better than a rom-com.”

I raised an eyebrow. “I’m not a public kisser.”

“That mistletoe kiss says otherwise,” Liz cut in. “I’m going to find a bunch before you get home and plaster it everywhere. Ooh, maybe Kelsi can help me smuggle it into the office. I know better than to ask Emmett.”