Page 118 of Such Sharp Teeth

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The next morning, I find Matty in the kitchen with Scarlett. He brought donuts. He also got me a large pepperminty latte that’s truly disgusting, but I drink it anyway because I appreciate the gesture.

I definitely have to apologize to him at some point. Admit that I was wrong. Yuck.

After coffee and donuts, he helps Scarlett out to the car, and I follow, carrying presents.

“Careful. It’s icy,” he tells me.

I ignore his warning and promptly fall on my ass.

“Are you okay?” he asks. His concern is genuine and sweet, and it floods me with remorse.

I try to get up and slip again. Scarlett laughs.

I flip her off.

“I’m fine,” I say. If there’s a bruise, it’ll be gone by the time we get to Joann’s.

I’m dreading seeing Joann after how I treated her at Scarlett’s baby shower. I cope with my anxiety by singing along to Christmas songs on the radio. My rendition of “All I Want for Christmas Is You” is truly something special.

I try to break Matty with the high notes, but he doesn’t flinch.

“You could be a professional,” he deadpans when the song’s over.

This gets Scarlett.

“Stop making me laugh,” she says. “It makes the baby go crazy.”

“Yeah?” Matty asks. He reaches over to feel.

It makes me deeply uncomfortable. It’s too intimate a thing for me to be witnessing. Makes me squirmy.

They look so in love right now. So happy. It’s hard for me to wrap my mind around it, with everything that’s happened. That he could still love her after she betrayed his trust.

I don’t understand how it’s possible to live with your heart in someone else’s hands. To have the capacity to forgive them if they break it.

“Last Christmas” comes on and I start dancing in the backseat.

“This is it,” I say. “This is my moment.”

“I can’t wait,” Matty says. “Please be as loud as possible.”

I clear my throat. “Not a problem.”

—

Joann hugs me and kisses me on both cheeks. I’m relieved that she doesn’t appear to be holding my baby shower behavior against me.

“Good to see you, sweetie,” she says. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas. Thank you for having me.”

“Who is that?” says a husky voice. “Is that my girl?”

Grandma Candy. She’s my favorite member of Matty’s family. Perhaps my favorite person in general.

“It’s me, Candy,” I say, running over to her.