December Midnights: A Holiday Novella by Victoria Wilder

Author:Victoria Wilder [Wilder, Victoria]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

GRAY

“Where are they all coming from?” West asks, standing next to me at the top of the stairs. The doorbell has been ringing nonstop since I woke up this morning. I managed to finally fall asleep for a few hours after pulling myself away from Aurora in the lighthouse. I laid in bed for a good hour thinking about all of the reasons why I shouldn’t care if she’s keeping her options open. I’m not here permanently. And as much as I keep telling myself to stand the fuck down, I keep standing up, staring, and taking exactly what I want–her. If one of those coaching positions comes through, I won’t be here. Letting that reality settle around me has my teeth grinding and fists balling up tight. Someone like her wasn’t a part of the plan when I arrived here. And just now, the idea of not being here has me feeling like I don’t know which one I want more.

I take a pull from the double IPA I just cracked open–tastes like piss. I need something stronger than this watching these people pour in. I’m annoyed and feeling a bit needy, if I’m being honest. I’ve barely been able to exchange more than a few words with her today.

I watch Aurora check in two more guests. She makes every single person who comes in smile along with her. I want one of those smiles. They laugh about something she’s said or take a compliment she’s doled out. There’s nothing complicated about how she makes people around her seem easier. She’s a people person, good with everyone she comes across. It’s not a mask or a show, it’s simply her. I’m complicated, with plenty of masks to wear depending on the show I need to perform. Most people like me, but I can count on less than one hand how many I like. Maybe a new one has been added recently.

“You like her,” West says as he takes a swig of his beer.

I give him a side-eye glance. There’s no use in denying it. “Yeah.” I pause, thinking about just how much. “I like her.”

He makes a sound in agreement. “She know you like her?” His question comes just as she laughs with a guy dressed in a nice-looking suit. I have better.

“She has an idea.”

“Might want to make it clearer, then.” He nods as the suit wraps his arm around her lower back and leans in to tell her something only for her ears.

I watch as Tash opens the front door. Nobody is there, but just a minute later, another car pulls up and two more women pour out and into the foyer. I’ve counted at least thirteen guests checking in today.

Tash asked us to join her for the festivities of Winter Solstice. West was a fast yes, and truthfully, mine was just as quick, knowing Aurora would be running a good deal of things happening this evening. She said it was important that her regulars saw more of us, especially this week.

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