Page 43 of Babies for the Christmas Grump

She pauses, letting the words hang above us for a second before adding, “And I’m pretty sure you need to loosen up anyway. I can’t imagine you’re any fun at parties.”

I snort despite myself, an involuntary laugh escaping me. “I’m plenty fun at parties.”

Sunny grins. “Sure you are. But I bet you’ve never actually enjoyed one, huh?”

Her words hit a little harder than I expected. I know she’s right, in a way. Parties, holidays, Christmas, they’ve always been something I’ve had to perform at, not something I’ve been able to experience.

But that’s a line I don’t really want to cross. It’s safer to stay on the sidelines, where it’s quiet, where I can control the narrative.

Then she looks at me, really looks at me, and I can tell she’s not asking for more from me. She just wants me to let go.

I feel a flicker of emotion deep in my chest. Maybe it’s curiosity. Perhaps it’s the smallest thread of hope, the idea that, for one night, maybe I could actually enjoy myself. I could perhaps see Christmas differently.

“Alright,” I say, surprising myself with the ease of my decision. “But this had better not involve any more of your holiday cheer or weirdly festive drinks.”

She laughs, standing up and brushing imaginary dust off her pants. “Deal. But you have to promise me one thing: no more sulking about Christmas. Tonight, you have to let go. No excuses.”

I stare at her, my mind trying to keep pace with what she’s asking.Let go. No excuses.

I don’t know if I can, but I find myself nodding anyway. “Fine. But you’re buying the first round.”

“Deal,” she says, already heading for the door. “I’ll be ready at seven. Don’t be late, Ryder.”

As she leaves, I sit back in my chair, still processing the conversation. The idea of actually going out for something that resembles fun? It feels foreign but strangely liberating.

Maybe it’s the push I need. Perhaps tonight will be the night I finally stop hiding behind this façade.

Maybe Christmas doesn’t have to be a performance after all.

But I’m not going to think about that too hard. For now, I’m just going to let Sunny drag me out and see where the night takes me.

It’s one night. One night to take off the mask.

And for once, I’m not going to resist.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Sunny

December 7th

Okay,I’m going to make Ryder smile. Even if it kills me.

It’s snowing, which should make it easier, right? I mean, snow is basically magic in flake form. It softens everything. It makes everything feel a little lighter.

At least that’s how I see it, usually.

Ryder, however, might be about to stage a one-man protest against the weather. But I’m determined. Iwillmake him crack a smile.

We’re walking down the cobblestone street just past the hotel, which, by the way, is straight out of a Christmas movie. The gas lamps glow like they’re from a Victorian postcard, and the fresh snow sparkles underfoot.

It’s everything I’ve always loved about the holidays, even when I was a little kid.

Aunt Evie used to take me on these walks, pointing out all the brownstones with their wreaths on every door, telling me how everyone had their own story to tell, even a brick building covered in snow.

I turn to him.

“See that building?” I point to one on the corner that’s all decked out in wreaths. “Aunt Evie used to tell me that place had the most Christmas spirit in the entire neighborhood. I think she meant it metaphorically, but… I don’t know. I think she was just in love with the idea of it all.”