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“You slept with him?”

“Sam, calm down. We shared a bed because it was late and we’d both been drinking. Absolutely nothing happened. He put a pillow in between us.”

“Sensible. And now you’re going to his parents’ house. And nothing is going to happen?”

Phoebe didn’t respond.

“I knew it. You have to tell me if something happens tonight, Pheebs. I’m serious.”

“Okay, okay, I’ll tell you. I’d better go get ready.”

“Good luck!”

“Back at you.”

When Phoebe returned to the house, she texted Arden: Hey, my friend from New York invited me to a dinner tonight, and I found this gorgeous green dress in your closet. Would it be OK if I borrowed it?

Arden: Of course! That poor dress has been waiting to be worn to a party. Have fun! Oh and how is Mittens?

Phoebe: Mittens is being a perfect fluff ball. And thank you! I’ll let you know how the party goes.

When Phoebe tried on the dress, she realized that Arden must be very tall. It was a sort of high-low style that probably revealed the front half of Arden’s legs, skimming her shoes in the back. On Phoebe, it was full-length in front and pooled on the floor behind her. But the V-neck halter top fit perfectly. Phoebe dug around in a basket on Arden’s dresser and found some safety pins. She carefully pinned up the back of the dress so it looked like it was all one length. Paired with the black strappy heels she’d brought, she looked like the belle of the Christmas ball. She complemented the look with some bronze eyeshadow, dewy highlighter, and red lipstick, because of course she had to go red and green.

When she pulled up to the address Jonathan had given her, she had a moment of trepidation. Was she crashing this family gathering? What if no one wanted her there and her presence made everything awkward? Maybe Jonathan had just invited her to be polite.

But she was here now, and there was no part of her that wanted to turn around and go home. She parked the car on the opposite side of the quiet, leafy street, and followed an older couple to the Lees’ house. It was a one-story brick house with a two-car garage, a grassy lawn, and two palm trees flanking the front porch. The house was decorated with multicolor Christmas lights and a vintage Santa head on the door.

The couple ahead of her rang the doorbell. Phoebe stood a few feet behind them as a six-year-old girl opened the door. They exchanged greetings and entered the house, the girl leaving the front door wide open as she called back to her mom that Kelly and Paul were here. Phoebe hovered awkwardly in the doorway. She considered ringing the doorbell again so someone would notice her. But then someone did.

Jonathan was perched on the arm of a sofa in the living room. When he looked up and caught sight of Phoebe in the doorway, his mouth dropped open. The look of surprise was quickly replaced by a beaming smile as he strode toward her with his arms outstretched.

“You made it! Wow, you look stunning.” They hugged, a tight, friendly squeeze, his hands on the bare skin of her back.

“Look at you.” Phoebe took in his outfit: dark green slacks paired with a black turtleneck sweater and a red-and-green plaid blazer. The turtleneck highlighted the darkness of his eyes, his long black hair skimming the neck of the sweater. The way the blazer stretched over his biceps made it seem nearly too small. “You look…” Phoebe couldn’t find the words. She’d never expected Christmas formal wear to make her feel… however she was feeling right now. Confused. Warm. Slightly sweaty.

She noticed then that he was wearing socks printed with evergreen trees. “Shoes off?”

“Shoes off,” he confirmed.

She slipped off her heels and put them with the other shoes by the front door.

“Let me introduce you.” Jonathan took her hand and led her through the living room, where a few people chatted on the couches, toward the kitchen.

The kitchen bustled with activity. It smelled so good that Phoebe briefly considered tasting ham for the first time in her life. Jonathan reached for the arm of the short woman who was clearly in charge.

“Mom, I’d like you to meet Phoebe Keller. Phoebe, this is my mom, Sharon.”

Sharon stopped stirring the pot on the stove and turned to Phoebe, her eyebrows nearly disappearing into her hairline.

“Phoebe?” She clasped Phoebe’s hand in both of hers, then turned to her son. “You told me you were bringing a friend, not that you were bringing Phoebe. Oh my gosh, I get to meet you at last.”

“I—thank you so much for having me, Mrs. Lee. The food smells incredible.”

“It was so strange, sending my children to college. One day, you know everything about their life, and then suddenly, you don’t even get to meet their best friend.”

Jonathan ruffled his hair nervously. “Mom, you know Phoebe and I haven’t really talked much since college. We’re actually teaming up on a business idea—”

“No work talk.” Sharon flapped a pot holder in the air. “It’s a holiday. Phoebe, I’m so glad to finally”—she shot a look at Jonathan—“meet you. Help yourself to drinks. It might be a while before dinner.” She turned back to the stove, stirring her pot and simultaneously instructing one relative to check on the stuffing and another to open a fresh bottle of prosecco.