(Not So) Alone for Christmas: A Sweet Romantic Comedy Holiday Novella by Jenny Proctor

Author:Jenny Proctor [Proctor, Jenny]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Four Petal Press
Published: 2020-12-03T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

The power turned back on late the following afternoon. I’d been minutes away from crossing the street to take Edna up on that offer for a shower. I’d braved a cold one the night before, but it had been icy enough to leave me chilled for over an hour afterward. It wasn’t worth going through that again.

But then the house shuddered to life, making my sojourn across the street unnecessary. After my shower, Bo blissfully reported that the streets were drivable and suggested we head out for a few groceries.

I was ready for an outing, but also nervous over the prospect of going anywhere with Bo. We’d been living in a sort of dream world where we only had to interact with each other. Would it be weird going out in public? Would we still treat each other like a couple? Were we a couple?

When Bo took my hand on our way into the grocery store, I took it to mean we were, and the thought thrilled me all the way to my core. I’d dreamed of this very thing back in high school. Going somewhere on Bo’s arm. Being recognized as the girl he had picked.

We shopped lazily, browsing every aisle in the grocery store, only picking up the things that looked delicious to both of us. “How do you feel about navel oranges?” Bo said. “Are you in the mood for oranges?”

“I’m always in the mood for oranges. I’ll pick some out.”

I left Bo browsing the bread aisle and went back to produce on my own to grab a bag of oranges.

“Maddy Royal.”

I spun around. My best friend from high school, Sophia, stood with her hands on her hips, a wide smile stretched across her face.

“Hey!” I said. I crossed to where she stood in front of the apples and gave her a hug. “It’s so great to see you!”

“So you’re home from Chicago, I take it,” Sophia said. “How’s your family?”

“In Hawaii, actually. For Christmas.”

She paused. “Oh. But . . . you aren’t?”

“It’s a long story. I was supposed to be, but with flights shut down, I wound up snowed in here.”

“Oh, your poor thing! Have you been alone? You should have called!”

I glanced over my shoulder, anticipating that any moment, Bo could wander over. Sophia knew better than anyone the depth of my early high school devotion to Bo. “Actually, weirdly enough, I’ve been with Bo.”

Sophia’s mouth gaped open. “Bo Bradshaw?”

“My parents hired him to housesit and take care of Izzy while they were gone, but then I flew in to surprise them, not knowing they were surprising me with a trip to Hawaii, and then the snow . . .” It was more explanation than she needed. “Anyway. Weird random events, but yeah. We wound up snowed in for Christmas together.”

“Oh my word. I bet that’s been pure torture for you. Has he changed at all? Or is he still as big a jerk as ever?”

My forehead wrinkled. Sophia had heard more of my heartbroken complaining than anyone else, but the vitriol behind her words was surprising.

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