Bronwyn
The guest room smelled like lavender and old books. I sat cross-legged on the bed next to Eudora while she scrolled through Netflix on her laptop. We'd already watched two rom-coms and were halfway through a third.
"Want some popcorn?" Eudora asked.
"I'm good."
She paused the movie and turned to face me. "So tell me about Boston. You must have guys lining up for you there."
I pulled at a loose thread on the blanket. "Not really. I'm pretty focused on work."
"Come on. Nobody?"
"I went on a few dates. Nothing serious."
Eudora leaned back against the headboard. "You deserve someone good, Bronwyn. Someone who treats you right."
My throat felt tight. "Yeah. Maybe."
"I'm serious. You're smart and funny and gorgeous. Any guy would be lucky."
I forced a smile. "Thanks."
She hit play again and we went back to watching the movie. Around midnight her eyes started closing. She was asleep before the credits rolled.
I turned off the laptop and pulled the blanket over her. Then I lay down on my side of the bed and stared at the ceiling. Trenton was just down the hall. Two doors away. I wondered if he was awake too.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand. I grabbed it and my heart jumped when I saw his name.
*Missing you. Can't sleep knowing you're so close.*
I glanced at Eudora. She was still sleeping. I typed back quickly.
*This is torture*
His response came fast.
*Tomorrow. I'll find a way.*
I put the phone down and rolled onto my side. Tomorrow felt like forever.
---
Morning came too fast. I woke up to sunlight streaming through the curtains and Eudora already awake scrolling on her phone.
"Morning," she said. "Mom's making breakfast."
I got dressed and followed her downstairs. The kitchen was warm and busy. Celeste stood at the stove flipping pancakes. Trenton sat at the table with coffee and his phone. He looked up when I walked in and our eyes met for half a second before he looked away.
"Bronwyn, sweetie, how'd you sleep?" Celeste asked.
"Great. Thanks."
I sat down across from Trenton. Under the table his foot tapped against mine.
Eudora poured orange juice and started talking about Christmas Eve plans. "We need to finish decorating. And wrap presents. And Mom wants to make cookies."
"Lots to do," Celeste said. "Calliope gets here at three so we need to be ready."
I saw Trenton's hand tighten around his coffee mug.
After breakfast I helped clear the dishes. Trenton came up beside me at the sink and reached for a glass. His hand brushed mine and stayed there a second too long. His fingers were warm. I felt my face heat up.
"Excuse me," he said quietly.
I stepped back and he grabbed what he needed and left. But I could still feel where his skin touched mine.
The morning went by in a blur of decorating and baking. Celeste had us hanging garland and setting out candles. Eudora kept putting on Christmas music and singing along. I tried to focus on helping but my mind kept drifting to Trenton.
Around noon I went to the pantry to grab more flour for cookies. I was reaching for the top shelf when someone stepped in behind me. The door closed softly.
"Trenton," I whispered.
He turned me around and pressed me against the shelves. His mouth found mine and I kissed him back hard. His hand slid under my shirt and my skin burned where he touched me.
"We shouldn't," I breathed between kisses.
"I know."
But neither of us stopped. His fingers traced my waist and I gripped his shoulders.
Then we heard footsteps.
We broke apart so fast I almost knocked over a jar of pasta sauce. Trenton grabbed a wine bottle from the rack and I straightened my shirt. The door opened and Eudora stood there.
"What are you guys doing?"
"Just looking for the good wine," Trenton said. His voice was steady. "Mom wanted it for dinner."
Eudora squinted at us. "Why are you both in here?"
"I was getting flour," I said. I held up the bag like proof.
She shrugged. "Okay. Well, hurry up. We need to finish the cookies."
She walked away and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Trenton looked at me and I saw the same panic in his eyes.
"That was close," he said.
"Too close."
He stepped out first and I waited a minute before following. My hands were shaking.
---
The rest of the afternoon was a mess of last minute preparations. Celeste kept giving orders and Eudora kept complaining about having to clean. Trenton disappeared upstairs to shower and change. I helped fold napkins and set the table and tried not to think about the pantry.
At two thirty Celeste checked her phone. "Calliope just texted. She'll be here soon."
My stomach twisted.
Eudora clapped her hands together. "Finally. I miss her."
I went upstairs to change into something nicer. When I came back down Trenton was in the living room wearing a dark sweater. He looked good. I almost salivated.
"You okay?" he asked quietly.
"Yeah. You?"
He nodded but I could see the tension in his jaw.
At three fifteen the doorbell rang.
"She's here!" Eudora ran to the door and threw it open.
Calliope stood on the porch with two suitcases and a big smile. She had long dark hair like Trenton and the same green eyes. She was beautiful.
"Dora!" She dropped her bags and hugged Eudora tight.
Then she stepped inside and saw Trenton. "There's my big brother."
He hugged her and she laughed. "You look good. City life treating you well?"
"I can't complain."
Celeste came out of the kitchen and wrapped Calliope in another hug. Everyone was talking at once. Then Calliope turned and looked at me.
"So you're the famous Bronwyn."
I felt every eye in the room shift to me.
"That's me," I said. I tried to smile.
She walked over and studied me for a second, like she was trying to figure something out.
"My brother mentioned you on the phone last week," she said. "He daid you were staying with us for the holidays."
My stomach dropped. I glanced at Trenton but his face gave nothing away.
"He did?" I managed to say.
"Yeah. He said you were a friend of Eudora's from Boston." She tilted her head slightly. "Funny though. He talked about you for like twenty minutes."
The room felt too hot.
"Did he?" My voice sounded strange.
Calliope smiled but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Mhmm. It made me curious to meet you."
Trenton cleared his throat. "Cal, you must be exhausted from the drive. You want some coffee?"
"Sure," she said. But she was still looking at me.