Christmas and Other Inconveniences by Tracy Broemmer

Author:Tracy Broemmer [Broemmer, Tracy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-10-16T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER 17

Jessica

Damn Hayes. Now Jessica found herself watching Nolan, watching the way he interacted with her sister. If she wasn’t careful, Amelia might think she had changed her mind, that she wanted Nolan to take her to the wedding.

He had grabbed her a bottle of water at the appliance store. Without asking if she needed one. As far as she knew, she hadn’t stumbled around like a drunk. Just mumbled that little thing about how it could be fun, and yes, if she were being honest, she would have to admit that the two beers she drank were the only reason those words had come out of her mouth.

Hayes had found a kid in the kitchen appliances and told him what he needed. Good thing Hayes knew what he was talking about, because the kid working there looked like he was ten and more familiar with video game consoles than appliances used for cooking. Hayes had been prepared with a brand name, a model number, and a serial number, and had almost scooted the kid right out of the way in front of the computer. Jessica had nibbled on her lip the entire time Hayes looked at the parts schematic, because she was afraid she would laugh if she didn’t. The part had to be ordered, but at least the company would ship it directly to him.

Although, as they walked away from that department, Jessica found herself thinking she wouldn’t have minded a trip back to Cooperstown with Hayes.

When they left the store through the main doors, he grabbed a candy bar in the checkout lane and a bottle of water from the cooler in front of it. He had offered her the first bite of the candy bar, and she had gladly accepted, happy the water and drive helped clear her head.

“How’s your mimosa?” Amelia leaned into her now and nodded at the cranberry mimosa in front of her.

“Good.”

Amelia and Nolan had both ordered a bloody mary. Jessica had never seen her little sister drink a bloody mary in her life, but she had channeled Hayes and reminded herself that Amelia did like tomato juice, and vodka was often her first choice for a cocktail.

“Wanna try it?” Amelia picked up her glass. Jessica turned her nose up at the stalk of celery sticking out the top of the glass.

“No. Thanks.”

“Want my olive, Mel?” Nolan asked her. He held his hand out, the olive there in offering.

“Thanks.” Amelia plucked it from his hand and tossed it in her mouth. “How was your shopping date?”

“You had a date, Jess?” Their mom asked from across the table.

Jessica considered kicking Amelia, but she chose the high road and elbowed her instead.

“No. I didn’t have a date. Went to Cooperstown yesterday to go shopping.”

“With Hayes.”

“What?” Mom’s eyebrows and ears perked up at Amelia’s announcement.

“Not a big deal. I needed to get Chelsea’s wedding gift. Not like there’s a lot of places to buy something like that here in Holly Creek.”

“They have a beautiful Christmas wreath on display right now at the craft store,” Mom argued.

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