Member-only story
A Christmas Party for Two
She was the gift that kept on giving.
“Do you have plans for Christmas?”
Mina peered at me over her cup of coffee, obviously expectant, but I knew the question she was really asking.
“Are you going to spend Christmas with your new girlfriend?”
I sighed and took a sip of my own coffee. The taste was too strong, but at least it gave me a kick I needed. “I don’t know,” I answered at last. “Jenna’s wanted me to come visit her family, but I think it’s too soon. They might just get ideas that I’m not ready to be thinking about.”
Mina nodded, though I saw how her look soured at the mention of Jenna. She never exactly approved of my new girlfriends — especially since she had been the first in a long line of heartbreaks. It was a wonder we were still friends after such a rocky start.
“Well, you’re always welcome to stop by my place if you get tired of being in the spotlight. I know you have a phobia about meeting the parents.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that.”
“You always have a place at my door.”
I didn’t want to think about the implications of her words — was I just the stray that she kept feeding to try and tame me? — but it was still reassuring.
