Page 79 of Christmas Bubble

“So you’re not going to help me?” He stares at me, and I see his vulnerability. But then I remember coming back from my surgery, and he wasn’t there. Waiting for him to visit me at home, and he never did. Not a single flower, card, or wish that I would get better enough to follow my dream.

“No. Please leave. I’m not asking again.”

“But I came all the way here,” he says, like it’s the grand gesture I’ve been waiting for all my life.

“I didn’t ask you to come.”

“I don’t even have a suitcase or clothes.”

“Believe it or not, there are shops in Connecticut too.” I gesture to the door.

Harley looks at Juju, who’s made herself comfortable on my couch under one of my many blankets. She’s not even looking at us.

It’s not until the door clicks shut that I finally take a breath.

I lean on the breakfast bar, and a moment later, Juju is there with her arms around me.

“I’m sorry. I tried to stop him, but he wouldn’t listen. I tried to warn you, but you didn’t pick up your phone all day.”

“That’s because I was busy having all the morning sex with my boyfriend before we came home.”

She screeches and grasps her hands in front of her chest. “Fill me up with a cup of that coffee andallthe details. Let’s order in food. I can’t believe you scored your Coach. He seemed pretty pissed when he left.”

“I know. I’ll call him later. Probably should cancel our date tomorrow. I don’t want to leave you on your own.”

She hits me in the head. “You will do no such thing. Did you see the way that man looks at you? You are not standing him up for me. I can take care of myself for one night. And you better stay over at his place if you’re going to fuck like bunnies.”

I hug her again. “Oh, how I missed you.”

As I start pouring the coffee, the cup suddenly cracks. We both gasp and look at each other.

My grandmother used to say that was a sign something was about to happen.

“That’s…just a delayed reaction from Harley turning up,” Juju says.

A shiver runs down my spine. “Yeah…”

29

COACH

I restmy head against the back of my seat and close my eyes. I’ve barely slept over the last three days, but my body refuses to give me any kind of rest.

My suitcase is still by the front door of my place, abandoned.

“Are you okay, sweetie?” Mom asks.

“Yeah.”

“You look tired.”

“I’m good.” I give her a smile and bring her hand up to my lips.

I’d barely arrived home after leaving Curtis with his friend and the other guy when I got a call from my mom. Dad slipped on a wet floor and broke his foot.

I’m glad it wasn’t something more serious, but since they were about to leave St. Barts, they missed their flight back.

Her trembling voice over the phone is something I won’t forget anytime soon. This was their first vacation abroad, so even though they had insurance to help with costs, I know this was a scary experience for my mom.