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“Go take your shower,” Maggie said, nodding her head towards the bathroom. “I’ll make you some tea. We can have hot cocoa with the cookies later.”
“You’re a literal angel, Maggie.” Katie smiled in a way she hoped looked more cheeky, and less sentimental and broken than she felt.
“Well, I guess we know what you’re putting on top of your tree tomorrow, then,” she said lightly, but there was a blush over her cheeks that told Katie she wasn’t quite so nonchalant about the comment.
Katie should compliment her more. She liked it when Maggie blushed. It was adorable.
She turned to walk towards the bathroom. “Absolutely. And then you’ll have to stay here. Angels don’t just go back home every night. They’re here for the season.”
“I’m here whenever you want me. You only have to ask,” Maggie called from the other room in reply.
Katie was certain she wouldn’t have said it quite like that if they’d still been standing together, but they both knew it was true. She had specifically not asked Maggie to come over earlier because she knew Maggie would and she didn’t want the cold to punish her. Of course, Maggie was so wonderful that she’d somehow known exactly what Katie needed, and been here already. But, in general, if Katie asked, Maggie would be there. And if Maggie asked, Katie would be there. That was just how they worked.
And she wouldn’t want it any other way. Ever.
Chapter Six
Maggie had spent enough time around Katie to know how long it would take her to shower, especially when she was so clearly exhausted, and she timed it perfectly. When Katie reappeared with damp hair and sleepy eyes, Maggie had dinner plated up, tea ready, the kitchen cleaned, and a large plate of cookies ready for dessert.
Katie smiled at her like she really did think Maggie was an angel, and Maggie found herself blushing again.
It was hard having a best friend she was basically in love with who complimented and looked at her like that. At least, it was when she was trying hard not to be discovered.
“Come on, sleepyhead,” she said to Katie, ducking her head to hide her blush. “Let’s get you a seat before you keel over on me.”
Katie laughed and Maggie was glad to see the weight she’d been carrying when she arrived home seemed to be a little less heavy now.
“I’m sure you’d catch me if I did,” Katie said, but she walked over to the couch and dropped down onto it gratefully.
Maggie hummed, feeling her face redden further. Clearly, they both knew she would, but she couldn’t help wondering whether Katie had any idea of the lengths Maggie would go to for her.
Since her conversations with Rea and Mariana, she couldn’t help but feel like everyone in the world knew how she felt about Katie, and, if they all knew, how could Katie not? But here they were. Still the same as always, without even a hint of Katie knowing. Maggie was grateful again that, despite being so ridiculously smart, Katie was at least oblivious in this one area.
She carried their plates over to the couch and sat down beside Katie. They’d done this so many times that she basically had a spot, a place she usually gravitated to on the couch, just like Katie had one. It was becoming increasingly difficult not to see all of the ways a life together might work. Even if things were a little more complicated than that. Life wasn’t all sitting together on a couch and watching TV. Katie’s life, at least, was basically non-stop working, and Maggie didn’t want to ruin that for her.
But still…
Katie took her plate looking content as she snuggled into the corner of the sofa, glancing up at the TV to see what was playing. Maggie had made sure it was a film they’d seen before, so Katie didn’t have to put too much energy into paying attention, but she’d timed it to start right as Katie came back and they settled in for dinner. And all of it was just so very nice.
Maggie’s heart ached.
“Have you booked your flight to your parents for Christmas?” Katie asked as she set about eating.
Maggie felt like she’d bumped back down to Earth. “Not yet.”
Katie frowned. “Why not? Haven’t they asked you to?”
Maggie shrugged. “They have. My mom sent me a text telling me to let her know when I get in.”
Sensing that something was off, Katie examined her, a little pucker in her brow as she chewed carefully. “You’re thinking about not going?”
“No, no, I wouldn’t do that…” She sighed. Maybe she would. Not this year, but maybe some year. Her family probably wouldn’t get it, but she wanted to spend Christmas at home—her real, actual home—and around the people she loved.
Her whole life was here. She felt like a stranger when she went back ‘home’. Her family felt like strangers. They basically were. Sure, they shared some DNA, but they barely spoke to each other for most of the year. And not in the way Maggie had with some of her friends where not speaking for a few months meant nothing once you were reunited. This was more like… outgrowing something, nobody putting any effort into keeping it alive, and still being expected to spend her favorite time of year there, away from everything that made herher.
Out of sight, out of mind. Right up until social convention dictated you all convened in your childhood home.
Katie didn’t push her. She simply waited for Maggie to continue, quietly eating her lasagna, and being open and attentive and patient—all of the things Maggie wanted in the relationships in her life.
