Page 45 of 27 Kisses

And kiss twenty-one happens at the diner after breakfast. I could easily get used to kissing Garrett every single day.

The other difficulty is trying to find a time when we can all decorate the tree. We decide to wait until Lanie’s winter break and after the weekend, since the diner is always busy. But now there are only three days until Christmas, which is cutting it close.

Garrett’s parents supervise as we decorate the tree. Is it wrong that I want to do this with just Garrett and Lanie?

But I know the answer. I’m being selfish. This is a chance for Lanie and Garrett to spend time with family. I just need to get over myself.

We decorate with the ornaments Garrett bought, and then Lanie adds the few I brought. A horse ornament from several years ago. A dragonfly one her mom loved, and one Emily bought me that has the map of Ireland on it.

As Garrett adds blue ribbons to the tree, Lanie tugs on my arm. “Now, Da?”

I love seeing the smile on her face, her eyes bright with excitement. I nod.

She runs off with a squeak of excitement.

“What was that about?” Garrett asks as he steps back and examines his handiwork.

“You’ll see.”

His brow furrows. “What did you do?”

“Not me.”

Lanie rushes over to us with her hands behind her back. “I got you something, Uncle Garrett.”

“Lanie. That’s sweet. But you didn’t need—” His words stop as she presents him with a Grinch ornament. “Uh…” His gaze shifts to me and back to her. “Thank you.”

She laughs. “I know you don’t like Christmas that much. You’re like the Grinch.”

He darts an uncertain look toward me but gives Lanie a big smile as he adds it to the tree. She hugs him and darts away.

“Was this your idea?” he asks, his voice low and dangerous.

“It was Lanie’s. But it’s a mite better fit than Scrooge, don’t ya think?”

“You think my heart is going to grow three times as big?”

As I add another, totally unnecessary ornament to the tree, I lean close to Garrett to get it in the right spot. Keeping my voice low, I add, “I bet I can get something to grow…”

He groans. “You’re the worst.”

“It’s done, Da,” Lanie says. “Can we turn off the lights now?”

I forgot how much she loved this part. We had a tree last year, but it has been a while since we’ve gone all-out for Christmas.

Garrett nods and the lights go out. The tree is beautiful, transforming Garrett’s living room into something magical.

Mrs. Bishop names off things Garrett could make for dinner—even though the man doesn’t cook—and I decide to step in.

“I can?—”

Jane darts in front of me, stopping my words. “Hey, Christy?”

I sigh. “What?”

Her voice is low. “Don’t say I never did anything for you.”

“What the fuck does that mean?”