12 Days of Mistletoe

28. Bonnie

TWENTY-EIGHT

bonnie

“I told you he isn’t really my boyfriend.” I pull my legs up under me, curling up on my couch and repeating myself to Meg for possibly the sixth time since she called twenty minutes ago.

“Autumn said you made out in the middle of the Christmas shop.”

“Um, no . Mistletoe. There was mistletoe. And that’s part of the deal. Twelve days of kissing or twelve days of mistletoe—something like that.”

“That’s a little strange, Bonnie.”

“It’s…” It is. I don’t know how else to spin it. “ Odd —for sure. But whatever gets me permission to keep Noel. Plus, now I have enough money for one of the kids on our list to get her dog sooner than planned.”

“That’s great, sweetie, but at what price? You’re kissing strangers and waltzing around with this family like they belong to you? Isn’t that, you know, causing some stress?”

“Elliot isn’t exactly a stranger. I have known him for six months.” I know I’m pushing it. But what other defense do I have?

“Oh sure. You mean when he was sending you notes and threatening to kick you out of your apartment?”

“Okay, I didn’t say I know him well. And he didn’t know us at all when that was happening. He was defending his grandmother.” I huff out a tired breath. “He’s met Noel now. He knows why I did what I did. The facts have changed his mind.”

“The facts.” She grunts. “You’re spending the Christmas season with these people? Rather than here? Rather than with Mom and Dad in Georgia?”

“Hey,” I say, sitting up straighter and feeling very defensive now. “Mom and Dad never invited me. And I can’t afford Hawaii, Meg.” I guess I could have afforded a plane ticket to Hawaii had I not purchased Abby Jones a dog.

“Mom didn’t invite you because you already told her you’d be busy until Christmas day?—”

“It’s true. I have so much to do at Canine Compassion. And I’m working. Every day.”

“And yet, you’re also partying it up with the stalkers.”

I grunt. “The Eatons .”

“ Whatever . He sent you secret notes for months without giving up his name. I’m still calling him the stalker.”

“Meg, we both know you don’t stay mad at anyone. So, could you get over it already? Because I am.” As the words leave my mouth, I realize the weight of them. I am over it. I one hundred percent forgive Elliot for being an idiot.

“I don’t stay mad at anyone who messes with me. But you’re my baby sister.”

I puff out a sigh and reach out to scratch Noel’s belly—she is zonked out beside me. “Listen, Elliot is a nice guy. I promise. This charade is strange, I’ll give you that, but it’s going to help us both. So, please make the choice to just support your baby sister.”

Meg groans—and I pull the phone away from my ear with the noise. “Fine,” she says. “From what Autumn says, I’m guessing there’s a little more to it.”

“What does that mean? What did Autumn say?” My heart thumps in my chest, and I pick up the Grinch mug on my coffee table, wrapping one hand around the warm Christmas cup and holding my breath, waiting for Meg to explain.

“According to Autumn, it was one heck of a kiss.”