Yours for Christmas

“There’s a lot to celebrate,” Jack said, his gaze locked firmly on Larissa, his fiancée.

“I’ll second that,” Sam added.

They toasted the holiday season. Bailey sipped her bubbly drink and tried not to stare at the bottle of Dom Pérignon—a champagne she’d only ever read about in books or seen in movies.

Kenny leaned close. “You eat red meat, don’t you?”

“Of course.”

“How do you like your steak?”

“Medium rare.”

He grinned. “You get more amazing every time I’m with you. Want to split the chateaubriand for two?”

She’d seen it on the menu. It was a holiday special and cost more than her electric and cable bills combined.

“I’ve never had it before. I’m sure it will be great. Thank you.”

“You’re going to love it,” he promised.

They sipped champagne and talked about what was happening around town. Dellina was busy with several holiday parties.

“January second, we’re out of here,” Sam said, taking his wife’s hand in his and kissing her knuckles.

Bailey knew they were heading off to Australia and New Zealand for a three-week belated honeymoon.

“I’ll be back in time to finalize everything for your wedding,” Dellina told Larissa.

Larissa, a pretty blonde with an easy smile, shook her head. “Don’t worry about it. I have the dress and we’re all set for the venue.”

Kenny nodded approvingly. “You’re smart,” he told Jack. “No way you’ll forget your anniversary.”

Because Jack and Larissa were getting married on Valentine’s Day. It fell on a Saturday next February.

“Chloe’s excited,” Bailey said. “She’s never been a flower girl before. She loves her dress.”

The event was going to be an evening affair, here at the resort. Jack had already arranged for rooms for the entire wedding party, including Bailey and Chloe. Bailey was determined that she would be over Kenny by then. Maybe she would even be dating someone.

Although right now, that seemed impossible to imagine. Who could be nicer or sweeter or more fun to be with? Oh, those first few Kenny-diet days were going to be ugly, she thought. But not something she had to worry about now.

The server reappeared and they placed their orders. Jack talked about his new job at Cal U Fool’s Gold and Kenny mentioned a few clients. Talk turned to holiday happenings in town.

“We’re doing incredibly well on the toy drive,” Bailey said. “We’re going to fill up our trailer for sure.”

“Let me know if you need anything extra,” Sam said.

“Me, too,” Jack told her. “Take advantage of us.”

“He means financially,” Kenny said, glaring at his friend.

“I knew that,” Bailey told him. “I will be in touch if we fall short on anything.”

Their salads and soups appeared. Bailey had chosen the crab bisque. It came in a beautiful gold-rimmed bowl. There was a little tower of crab in the middle of an empty bowl. The server set it in front of her, then poured steaming bisque into the plate, followed by a drizzle of truffle oil. The combination of smells made her stomach rumble.

Conversation continued. Dellina asked about Bailey’s house and she admitted to being nervous about all the work she had to do between closing and moving. Sam entertained them with stories about his bawdy parents and how they were pressuring him to get Dellina pregnant.

Partway through the meal, Kenny draped his arm across the back of Bailey’s chair. She felt enveloped by his warmth and wanted to lean in. But when his fingertips lightly rested on her shoulder, she allowed herself to pretend, if just for that minute, that they were a couple.

* * *

“WHY DO WOMEN go to the bathroom in packs?” Kenny asked as they drove back to town. It was after eleven and the temperature was in the low twenties. But the snow had stopped and the road was plowed.

Bailey laughed. “I don’t know. It’s just a thing we do. I guess we want to talk without you guys around.”

“I figured. While the three of you were off doing your thing, Jack, Sam and I had our own conversation. What are you doing about the move?”

“I have the name of a company I was going to use. Why?”

“We’ll take care of it. You don’t have a lot of stuff. I’ll rent a truck for the morning of the ninth. You’ll only need to pack up the breakables. We’ll take care of the rest of it.”

She stared at him. “I can’t let you do that.”

“Technically I don’t think you could stop me. I’m bigger than you.” He reached across the console and squeezed her hand. “You have plenty going on, Bailey. Think of it as a holiday surprise.”

The unexpected gesture floored her. If she didn’t have to pay for movers, that would mean an extra four or five hundred dollars in her pocket.

“Thank you,” she murmured. “I really appreciate the help.”

“It’s what friends do.” He withdrew his hand.

They drove through town and parked in front of her building.

“You don’t have to walk me up,” she told him.

“No way. I was raised to walk a lady to her door.”

He came around the side of his SUV and helped her out, then followed her up to the front door. Bailey braced herself for what was going to be an awkward moment. Because they weren’t on a date. There wouldn’t be any kissing. So what was she supposed to do? Shake his hand?