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“I don’t know what to say.” Kate was still smiling. “Yes, obviously. I’ve just gotten so used to…” Kate shook her head. “Anyway, yes.” She leaned in for another kiss. “Don’t be late.”
“Night.” Hollis watched Kate walk away, her heart still beating fast. And as she drove home, she let her mind wander, imagining waking up together several mornings in a row, having dinner together. It was probably too soon. It was definitely too soon. But Hollis wasn’t wasting having the house to herself for that long with Dave on the other side of the country.
27
In the lead up to Christmas, Kate barely had a free moment. She lifted her weekend bag onto her bed, packing enough clothes to last for a few days. Her first semester back at college had flown by, especially the last week, when she’d handed in two papers, hating that she needed to pull an all-nighter to get it done. She’d still been working every weekend and a few evening shifts, and whatever time she had left, she tried to spend it with Hollis.
Right now, Kate should have been exhausted, but she was strangely energized. Last night, Lexi had told her that this was the happiest she’d ever seen her, and Kate told her the same thing. Lexi was officially with Ash now, and they made such a lovely couple.
A knock at the door took her from her thoughts as she added a few pairs of her sexiest underwear to the bag. “Come in.”
“Working tomorrow?” Lexi asked as she came in and sat on the edge of the bed.
“Yeah.” She shrugged. “I don’t mind. Christmas Eve is the same as any other day for me.”
“Do you want to come with me? You know my parents love you. Although, they’d probably think we’re together like they did last time I brought you home with me.”
Kate smiled. “You’re not bringing Ash?”
“No.” Lexi pressed her lips together. “I want to, but it’s too soon. I don’t want to mess this up.”
“I actually have plans,” Kate said as she kept packing.
“Oh? You’re going away with Hollis?”
“No. She’s got the house to herself for a few days.” Kate met her gaze.
“You too have it so bad,” Lexi said with a smile. “I love it. Any idea when the divorce will be official?”
“No.” Kate sighed. “Soon. She hopes.”
“She’s okay with all this sneaking around?”
“Yeah. She told me that her husband is cheating on her, so I think she’s less worried now. If we do get caught, she’s got proof that he’s been unfaithful too.” Kate zipped up her bag. “I hate that I’m even involved in this, but at the same time…”
“I know. Soon things will be normal,” Lexi said, giving her a reassuring smile.
“I hope so.”
28
Hollis had spent the last few days tying up any loose ends at work and pushing anything that wasn’t urgent into the new year, because at this time of year, most people didn’t want to be thinking about paint or fabric choices. They wanted to spend time with their families, so she’d had more free time than she was used to. Kate was insanely busy between work and college, and Hollis kept herself busy since Dave left two days ago, having Jen over for dinner last night and spending today cleaning the house.
She’d put on a movie after she’d gotten changed into her pajamas, patiently waiting for eleven o’clock to arrive, when Kate said she’d be here after she finished work, but she couldn’t concentrate on it fully. Her mind kept wandering. And as her favorite Christmas song played in the movie, she realized that Kate might think it was strange that she hadn’t a single decoration up.
With each year, she’d put in less effort without even realizing it, until last year just a modest tree went up and only for two weeks.
Hollis heard a car pull up just a few minutes before midnight, and she padded to the door, pulling it open. “Hey,” she said with a smile as Kate came to the door with a weekend bag in hand.
“Hi,” Kate said, her hair pulled back in a ponytail today, dressed in what Hollis guessed was her usual work attire, black pants and a black racerback tank top. “Sorry, I got hung up.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Hollis took her bag from her as Kate came inside.
“Wow,” Kate said with a lopsided-smile as she looked at her.
“What?” Hollis glancing down at her red plain pajamas bottoms and the black tank top she had on.
“I’ve never actually seen you in pajamas before.” She was grinning now. “I love it.”
