AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No ‘buts.’ Look—” Lena bounced her head from one side to the other, as if weighing whether to say more or not. “You should know, the guy miiiiight have an eensy bit of a reputation for being committed to his freedom, if you know what I mean. And he travels for work a lot. He’s never gone on more than a few dates with anyone, in the time I’ve known him. But he likes you, C. He told Heath. Even if he hadn’t, I know what I saw, and all I’m saying is, you should text Lachie and let him know you two won. And then you should go out tonight and see what happens. Maybe he’s just... being careful. Either way, I doubt he was planning on going to Carols by Candlelight unless someone dragged him.”
“Careful? Lachie? Have you seen the guy on his motorcycle?”
“There’s different kinds of careful. You know that.”
“Ugh, why do you have to be so smart? Fine. I’ll text him. But are you and Heath going?” Carissa knew a little bit about Carols by Candlelight because the previous year, she’d gotten a bunch of panicked texts from Lena after Heath had disappeared at the showgrounds where the community concert was held. Things had clearly gotten better since then, but she knew Heath still struggled with panic attacks.
“I don’t think so. Last night’s party was enough for me, and I don’t think either of us is quite ready to revisit the way things went for us last year. But don’t let that stop you! We’ll be fine here at home.”
It seemed weird to be planning something without Lena, when she’d come to Australia to visit her. But if she was going to stay, then maybe it wasn’t so strange to spend time with someone else.
“Okay. I’ll text him.” She pulled out her phone.
LACHIE, ARE YOU FEELING IT?
She was surprised when he immediately responded.
Feeling what?
The glory of winning!
Lena says we won the contest, so we have to go to Carols by Candlelight tonight. And dinner first
There was hardly a pause before her phone dinged with a response.
Did you get any sleep last night?
She wasn’t sure how to answer. If she told him she’d tossed and turned all night, would he decide they shouldn’t go out?
Some
Good
I’ll pick you up at six-thirty
“He’s on board? Is that what your smile means?” She hadn’t realised Lena had been watching her the entire time she’d been typing.
“Yeah, he didn’t even hesitate. He’s picking me up at six-thirty. Which seems weird when he’s staying here?”
Her phone buzzed in her hand again and they both looked down at it.
wear pants. Jeans if you have them. Or leather. Leather is even better
Lena snorted. “Well, he’s direct.”
“But what does that even mean? He has a leather fetish?”
“Because of the motorcycle, silly.” Lena bumped her shoulder against Carissa’s. “I have the perfect thing. But even if it’s for some other reason…” Lena fanned herself. “Answer me this: Do you like him?”
Her brain immediately shouted YES, but it was too soon for that. She hardly knew him. Instead of blurting her answer, she pretended she was thinking about it. “Yeah, I do.”
“Then why not just go with it? And… I know you like everything planned out, but as a very wise woman once asked me: ‘did you feel a zing?’”
“Yes.” And a lot more.
“Then, you know what to do. He doesn’t have to be your everything. He can just be your fun thing for right now. But, honey. You need some fun things in your life.” Lena reached an arm around Carissa’s waist and gave her a squeeze. “Or, as the immortal Carissa Cole said almost a year ago to the day, after I ended up stranded on a certain Grinch’s doorstep with nowhere to stay: ‘Holiday fling for the win!’ And if you stay here and work with me like you one hundred percent should, then maybe you can try expecting more from him and he’ll rise to the occasion… Worked for me!”
“Shh! We’re not talking about anything beyond tonight.”
