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Me: Of course! I can’t wait!
So much for cool… My response is immediate, fingers having a mind of their own. I think that’s the fastest I’ve ever sent a text and to my surprise his response is just as quick!
Oliver: Send me your address. I’ll pick you up around 6:30pm. If I remember correctly, the tree lighting is scheduled for 7pm.
Me: That’s perfect.
Oliver: Dress warm. The weather says it could be a very chilly evening tomorrow.
Chantelle makes a small happy noise grabbing my attention. I don’t miss the grin she hides behind her mug and I shake my head, mildly embarrassed from her undivided attention.
Me: It’s going to be amazing.
My heart is pounding with excitement and nervousness as I respond, but then I start to immediately go over the options I have to wear with him tomorrow. A real date. I haven’t been on one of these in forever. A giddy feeling glides through me and I realize how incredibly happy I am right now.
Oliver: You’ll be there. It’s already going to be awesome.
I can’t help the smile as it spreads across my face. He’s such a charmer. It makes me really wonder why this amazingly handsome man is still single.
“What’d he say?” Chantelle is peeking at my phone.
“He’s excited about our date tomorrow for the tree lighting.”
“Oh my gosh, the ceremony is going to be your first date? That’s perfect!”
“I really hope so.”
“Don’t doubt it. You’re the coolest, prettiest, and most amazing girl I know. If this Oliver has any good sense at all, he’s going to see it right away.”
“Okay, Chan.”
“So, tell me. When am I going to get my grabby little hands on Ashley’s new book baby? I know for a fact that you have a copy already.”
“Shit, girl, it’s so dang good. This may just be her best book yet.”
“Gimme, gimme. Stop holding out on me. Don’t I get any friend perks?”
“Chan, you’re getting it next week. You can wait. Ashley isn’t ready for anyone else to have it yet, and I have to respect her decision.”
“Okay, fine. I don’t like it, but I understand.” She fake pouts and I can’t help but shake my head at her. I love that she’s just as much of a book nerd as I am.
I glance down at my watch and realize how late it is. “Shoot, I need to get going, Chan. Same time next week?”
“Actually, we’ll probably see you all at the tree lighting ceremony tomorrow night.”
Grabbing my bag and my drink, I stand to leave. She stands too, and we do our famous fake kisses. “I’ll see you and Gus tomorrow then. Have a good rest of your day.”
Driving home is slower than normal, given the accumulation of snow the last couple of days. The salt trucks have been out all day, which is the only reason I can even drive my little car right now. Pulling into my driveway, my eyes trail over my quaint little cottage. It needs some serious decorations. It’s the first year I’ve had my own place and I definitely plan on decorating. I started outside with some of the trees and bushes, but the inside needs some love, too.
Hitting the garage door opener, I decide to park inside tonight. I grab my purse from the passenger seat as I get out and my eyes linger over the shelves, looking for the boxes labeled Christmas.
“Bingo.”I say to myself.
After grabbing two boxes, I make my way up the two steps to the kitchen door. Opening the door, I push through and head toward the living room. It’s so bare. I haven’t gotten a tree yet this year, and the house needs some pepping up.
After throwing on some Christmas tunes, I get my butt in gear putting up some decorations. I line the mantle with frost flocked garland, some red beads, and then highlight it with white lights that sparkle.
I place two tiny paper black and white checked Christmas trees on the mantle behind the garland. I’m in love with this new theme called buffalo check, and it’s definitely going to be a favorite of mine.
