optimist.
“Hello?” Adison used her head to hold her phone against her shoulder while she locked the apartment.
“Maggie just went into labor!”
“What? But that’s…”
“Early!”
“Wow.” Adison made her way down the staircase. “Early congrats, Aunt Corinne.”
“Thank you.” Corinne’s voice seeped pleasure. “There’s something I’m nervous about telling you, though.”
That made Adison’s insides squirm. She’d had enough surprises for one day. “What?”
“I need to go there today. Like, now.” She rushed to explain more, likely trying to get ahead of any judgment she thought Adison might have. “I’m sorry, I don’t want to do this. It’s my sister, though, and my parents are all the way in Florida, and—”
“Corinne. I understand one hundred percent.”
“You do?”
“Yes. Absolutely.”
“I would ask you to come with, but you have the party.”
“Exactly. This party is my baby, and it needs its Auntie Adison.”
Corinne chuckled. “God, I hate to miss it.”
“Twenty-four hours from now, you’ll be sick of all the photos I’ll have sent you of it.”
“What about tomorrow?” Adison said. “What about Christmas?”
She had to admit: the idea of spending Christmas alone hit hard. She and Corinne were always together during the holidays; without her best friend, she’d have no one.
“I’ll come back before then,” Corinne said.
“No you won’t,” she said quickly. “You’re already buying one last-minute ticket, and you’ll have a new baby to fawn over. You stay in California.”
Corinne sighed. “I feel like the worst best friend ever.”
Adison climbed into her car and cranked the heat. “Seriously. It’s fine. Taffy and I will get Chinese and watch movies.”
“I’ll video chat every minute I can.”
“I know you will. Now go get ’em, Auntie. Love you.”
“Love you, too. Bye!”
Adison put the phone in the passenger’s seat, a feeling of dread washing over her. She’d done the right thing by insisting Corinne go to California with no guilt, but she still felt awful. Her heart was already cracked, held together with duct tape and positivity after that morning’s discovery. She didn’t know how she’d make it through Christmas without her best friend.
If she’d told Corinne about what happened with Ken, Corinne would have made some other plan. She’d come back to Buffalo Christmas morning, or max out her credit card flying Adison to California after the party. And Adison wouldn’t put that weight on her friend’s shoulders.
No, this would just be one of those times she’d need to get through on her own. They happened every once in a while; they were a part of life.
It would hurt, but she would survive.
At Ken’s the driveway had been plowed, and the van bringing the rented tables was in front of the house. Adison took a deep breath and steadied herself. She still had to decorate the driveway, and tend to a couple dozen other tasks. Plus there would be Ken to deal with, and that would be the hardest task of all.
As it turned out, Ken had already let the delivery drivers into the house. They were moving back and forth, setting up the cocktail tables. Ken stood by the Christmas tree, typing on his phone.
Adison cleared her throat as she approached.
Ken looked up, his eyebrows jumping. “Hey. Ready for the big day?”
“Hi. I guess so.” She clasped her hands, feeling completely lost. Especially when he reached over to embrace her.
Luckily, he went for a kiss on the cheek rather than on the lips. That she could deal with.
“Is everything all right?” He kept his voice low, so that the delivery men wouldn’t hear.
“Yes.” A lump formed in her throat. “I’m stressed already.”
His gaze fixated on her. “I understand. Tell me what to do.”
“The lights and wreaths need to be put up along the drive, and then there’s… you know what? I do need to talk a minute.”
Her pulse quickened. She’d thought it would be best to go through the whole day avoiding him, but now that they were together again, that idea made her feel icky. Best to get everything out in the open and clear the air. Then she could focus on the party.
Ken put his phone in his pocket. “Of course. What would you like to talk about?”
He lightly touched her arm, which sent shivers through her. Even as furious with him as she was, his touch was intoxicating. It made her falter, not only because his hand felt so good but because she hated that it did.
“Adison?”
There was a loud crash, making them both jump. One of the delivery drivers cursed from the next room.
Adison held up a finger. “You know what?”
He nodded. “Let’s go see