Storybook Christmas: A Holiday RomCom Novella by Terra Weiss

Author:Terra Weiss [Weiss, Terra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Autumn Sky Books
Published: 2022-11-16T05:00:00+00:00

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TWO SLICES INTO a meat-lover’s pizza at Mo Cheese, I say, “This is amazing.”

“It is. But you have something…” Finn points to his chin. “Right there.”

I touch mine to discover a piece of string dangling off of it. I grab it and slowly drop it into my mouth. “Don’t wanna miss one morsel.”

“That’s how it’s done right there.”

“I can’t believe my sister didn’t tell me she was having a baby.” I blink.

“I’m sorry, Lacy.”

I wait for him to say more, and when he doesn’t, I say, “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For not saying something like, ‘Well, she was keeping it a surprise from your parents, so don’t feel bad.’” That’s what Joshua would’ve said, and it never made me feel better.

Finn puts his slice down. “I don’t tell people how they should feel. And logic doesn’t provide comfort, which is what someone needs when their heart’s aching.”

“Exactly.” I manage a weak smile. Clearly, Finn is much more in touch with the feelings and emotions of others than Joshua, and I didn’t realize how much I needed that until just now.

Plus, I can’t believe Finn put into words something I’ve always known subconsciously, but I could never verbalize:

Logic doesn’t comfort the illogical.

Feeling vulnerable about just how much Finn’s getting under my skin, I need to shift the topic away from me. I say, “So, tell me about you. Any brothers and sisters?”

“Only child.” He looks away, and when he returns his gaze, his green eyes are a shade darker, the streaks of gold splintered like glass. “My parents died in a car accident when I was little. My grandfather passed before I was born, but my grandma raised me.”

My breath stops, and I croak, “Finn.” Guilt chops through me like a guillotine. “I’m so sorry.”

I regret complaining about my family. I regret being ungrateful. I regret everything.

Finn studies my face. “It’s okay, Lacy. I’ve had a lifetime to get used to it.”

“I feel like such a jerk.” So, that’s why Finn understands feelings so well. He’s been through them all—a lifetime of learning ways to cope with the loss and grief that comes with never knowing one’s parents. I poke at my pizza, no longer hungry.

He touches my shoulder. “Just because I lost my parents doesn’t make the way your sister treated you okay. You have a right to be hurt by her.”

“You’re so understanding. And wise.”

“And you don’t have to be sad for me—I had a great upbringing. My grandma rocks, so it all worked out.” A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “She was an elementary school principal, so we didn’t have much money. But she always made sure I had everything I needed, and she taught me how to bust my butt for the things I didn’t. She’s the one who made me fall in love with books.”

“Really? How?”

After he finishes a bite, he says, “Every day after school, I’d sit in her office as she worked long hours. She’d give me books to read, then she’d play a game of trivia with me afterward.

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