Page 59 of Ruin The Friendship
26
CHRISTMAS COOKIES
FLETCHER
SEVENTEEN WEEKS PREGNANT
Icheck the recipe for the third time, making sure I have all the necessary ingredients. Lydia is due home any minute, and I’m ready with our surprise date. Once again, I was purposefully secretive with the plans. Perhaps I’m being a bit too elaborate, but when you’re on a mission to get your girl, you do what you have to do.
The front door opens, and in walks Lydia, looking absolutely adorable. Her loose curls frame her face, and she’s wearing another cute sweater—this time deep maroon—with black pants. I can’t help but notice how the color brings out the brightness in her eyes.
“Hey, Lydi-bug.” I stride to the entryway and take her bag from her shoulder, placing it on the bench. “How was your day?”
“Great.” Her cheeks are flushed, and there’s excitement in her eyes.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. We got more funding approved today, so we’re going to set up another free skate camp for kids.”
“Awesome!” I pull her in for a hug, holding her tightly and smoothing my hands up and down her back. “Proud of you.”
“I didn’t do anything,” she responds quickly.
“Yes, you did. You've been working hard. The events are a success because of you, so your hard work makes a difference.”
“Thank you.” Her voice cracks a little.
“Now go change. I have a fun date planned for us.” I spin her and lead her down the hall, blocking her view of the kitchen.
“Do I get a hint?”
“Nope. Wear something you won’t mind getting dirty, though.”
She quirks an eyebrow.
“Go.” I push her playfully toward her room. Once she enters her doorway, I spin and head back to the kitchen, doing another look over.
A moment later, Lydia calls from her room. “Hey, what is your schedule like next week?”
“Um, I’m not sure. Why?”
“The doctor’s office called today to schedule my anatomy scan. I told them I’d call them back once I had a better idea of what might work.” Her voice grows louder, and her footsteps carry her down the hall into the kitchen.
In the few minutes she was gone, she changed into a baggy T-shirt and leggings, and she pulled her hair back into a clip. This just might be my favorite version of Lydia. Casual and comfortable.
“What days are they thinking? I can look at my calendar.”
Lydia rattles off a few days and times they offered her. Thankfully, we find one that works on a Thursday afternoon. I’ll have to leave right after the appointment to get on a plane to Nashville, but I’ll be able to go, and that’s the important part. After the game in Nashville, we’ll come home for Christmas. I already have a few things planned for that.
She sets a reminder on her phone to call the office in the morning, then turns to the kitchen.
“Oh, my god.” Her voice is filled with awe. “What is all of this?”
“Christmas cookie baking and decorating!” I chirp, holding out my arms to showcase all the ingredients on the counter.
“This is amazing.” Her lips curve into a smile, and she covers her mouth; her eyes grow glassy. The smile drops, and a tear streams down her cheeks before I know what’s happening.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” I reach for her, rubbing her shoulders and tilting her chin to look at me. I run my thumb over the apple of her cheek, hoping to soothe her. “We don’t have to do this. We can do something else.”
