“I just wanted to come and hang out with you guys.”
“But it’s terrible outside! I can’t believe you came all the way up here. You are crazy.”
“You’re telling me. I had no idea Vin was going to drag me all the way up here. I don’t even know where we are.”
“I’m so sorry Vince. Well, you guys definitely need to get a drink.”
“Okay. We will be right back.” The two of them head to the bar, and James grabs two more seats to add to our table.
“James! I can’t believe he came all the way up here.”
“Seriously.” Kourtney looks at me and then at James. “So, what’s really going on with you two?”
“Honesty, nothing. We are just good friends.” I look over at James, and he is sitting at the table just grinning.
“James! Tell me. Is that really true?’
“They are not dating. He likes Kelly though. I know that he does.”
“How do you know that?”
“He told me th . . .”
“James stop! Kourtney, he told me a few weeks ago that he did have feelings for me, but not anymore. We haven’t talked about it since.”
“But I know he still does.”
“Okay. James. Stop. Be quiet. They are coming back over.”
The boys join us at our table, and I don’t want to make it seem like we are talking about him.
“Okay, James. So, what are your plans for the holidays?”
He gives me a weird look. “What, oh, yeah. Umm, I’m just going home for a few days.”
Finally, the bar starts playing some good songs, and we can’t help but all get up and start dancing. James and I are dancing like we always do. Kourtney and Jillian are right along with us, and Vin and Vince are hanging back a bit watching the rest of us. We get another round of drinks and keep on dancing. Vin and Vince finally join in and, I think at this point, all of us have forgotten that there’s a blizzard outside. James whispers to me that he will be right back and suddenly Vin and I are left alone to dance.
“What made you come all the way up here?”
“I wanted to come hang out with you before you went home for a few days.”
“I’m not leaving ’til Tuesday.”
“So, I like hanging out with you. I told you that.”
“I know. Me too.” As we are dancing, I notice that we are moving away from the group.
“Remember that thing I told you a few weeks ago?”
“Vin, I’m so sorry, I handled it so wrong. I was so rude.”
“It’s okay. I get it. I’m your boss. It was awkward for you. I don’t want to make you feel weird.”
“You don’t make me feel weird.”
“Okay. Well, that’s good.”
I look up at him, and I feel his lips on mine. I kiss him back, but for just for second because I quickly remember where I am. I’m sure all our friends are now watching us. I quickly pull away.
“Sorry. Wasn’t that okay?”
I respond by giving him another kiss.
On Sunday morning, I meet James early at this spot called La Creperie in Lakeview. James is heading back home in a few hours, and he wanted to meet for brunch before he leaves. La Creperie is very quaint and cozy. It has a tiny bar in the front, along with a fireplace, and a bigger room in the back. They also have a garden patio in the summer. James is sitting at the table right by the fire.
“Morning!”
“Okay. Sit down. Tell me everything that happened on Friday night.”
“Nothing more happened than a kiss or two.”
“So, are you guys like dating now?”
“No. We haven’t really talked about it. It was just a kiss.”
“Just a kiss? Umm, it’s kind of a big deal. Do you like him?
“I like him. Wow. That’s the first time I have actually said that out loud.”
“Yes! Thank gosh, you’re finally admitting your feelings. So, date him! What’s the problem?”
“No problem. It just hasn’t happened yet.”
The rest of the weekend I finish my Christmas shopping, clean my apartment, get everything ready for Gracie, and pack everything I need to take home for Christmas. I spend Monday watching Christmas movies and working a little on my blog. My phone beeps. There’s a text from Vin. I haven’t really talked to him much since Friday night.
Hey, do you have a lot of stuff to bring home?
Kinda.
Cool. I will pick you up tomorrow and drive you to the train.
Are you sure?
Yep. I want to see you before you go home for Christmas. What time is your train?
10:35
Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.
In the morning, Vin drives me to Union Station. He parks in front of the station gets out of the car to help me with all my stuff.
“I’m sorry to do this to you, but I have another bag for you to bring home.”
“Really? What is it?
“It’s a present for you.”
“You didn’t have to do that. Now I feel bad because I don’t have anything for you.”
“No, you didn’t have to. I just wanted to get you a little something.”
“Okay, well, thank you for driving me, and for the gift.”
I give him a big hug, and we hold onto each other a little longer than usual. As I pull away, I notice he is holding onto my hand.
“Have a great Christmas.”
“You too Kelly. I’m sure we will talk while you are home. I can pick you up from the station since you will probably have lots of bags.”
“Okay, thanks, that would be great. I’ll see you in a few days then.”
A few hours later, I’m finally at home. Mum and I are baking our traditional English favorites for Christmas. This is one of my favorite things to do with my Mum during the holidays. A Christmas Story is playing in the background, and we are drinking wine as we bake sausage rolls and mince pies.
“So, guess what Mum.”
“What darling?”
Vin got me a present. He gave it to me when he dropped me off at the train this morning.”
“Really? What did he get you?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t opened it yet.”
“Well, open it, you don’t have to wait 'til Christmas.”
“Okay, I’ll go get it.” I giggle and run out of the room. I grab the gift and run back to the kitchen. I place it on the kitchen table and start to unwrap the paper. I pull back the wrapping paper and stop.
“What’s wrong? What is it?”
“If this is what I think it is, I’m going to freak out. I will feel so awkward if he has spent this much money on me.”
“Okay, what is it?” I unwrap the rest of the box and show my Mum.
“Oh, Kelly. He didn’t buy you one of those expensive purses.”
“I don’t know. Let’s see.” I nervously open the box and look inside.
It’s not a bag. It’s not a wallet. It’s another box. I pick up the next box and open it. There’s another small box.
“Why would he get you all boxes?”
“I don’t know?”
I open the last box and inside is a gift card to Louis Vuitton. I show my Mum.
“Do you think he gave you a gift card, so you get the bag you want?”
“I hope not. We’re not even dating, and that is such a major gift to give someone.” I open the sealed card and see it’s a gift card for twenty-five dollars along with a note.
Kelly,
Merry Christmas. When you finally save up enough money to get your bag, you can use this $25 to pay the tax.
Vin
I start cracking up, and I immediately grab my phone to call Vin. “I can’t believe you did that! You totally freaked me out.”
I just hear him laughing on the other end of the phone. “I thought that would surprise you. I know I gotcha good! Did you really think I would buy you something that expensive? I don’t even know what’s going on with us.”
>
“You sure are a funny guy! I honestly wasn’t sure. It would have been a bit much.”
“When we went into Louis Vuitton a few weeks ago, you told me how much you love the history of the brand, you knew about all the bags, and that the Speedy 30 is your favorite. So then, I went back and told the guy at Louis Vuitton what I wanted to do, he thought it was funny and went along with it.”
“Well, thank you so much for the gift card. I can honestly say, you really did get me!”
Twenty-Seven
New Year’s Eve…
“So, are you coming with us tonight?”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“Wait, do you not want to?”
“I do Kourtney. I am sorry. I’m just . . . never mind. I’m coming for sure, it will be fun.”
I head back to my desk and sit down. I’m feeling a little bummed. I have talked to Vin pretty much every day since he gave me that crazy gift for Christmas, but he hasn’t mentioned anything about New Years to me. We still aren’t dating. We still haven’t really even talked about anything that’s going on with us. However, I just figured that maybe he would ask me to do something or at least ask what I’m doing for New Years.
I wait all day and nothing. He has had plenty of time to ask me, and we have talked all day long. Maybe he has just forgotten that it’s New Years? It’s possible. Feeling crappy I walk over to James desk.
“Hey. Vin hasn’t asked me at all about New Years. What should I do? I feel a little bummed about it.”
James looks up at me and sighs. “Well, you could ask him, Kelly. Why does it have to be the guy all the time with you girls? It’s not really fair.”
“I didn't even think of that. I was too busy thinking he should ask me. Ugh, well, it’s too late now. I already made plans with Kourtney. She invited me to a house party since I didn't have any plans. I didn’t want to sit home by myself.”
“Well, that’s kind of dumb. I’m sure you wouldn’t have been alone. I doubt Vin would let you be alone.”
“James, you are so right! I’m so stupid! Why do I keep messing up like this? He is going to be so mad at me again. Now, I have no idea what I should do? I feel like such an idiot.”
“Yep, this time you really are.”
I roll my eyes at James. “Thanks for the support.”
“Hey, this is all you, not me.”
I take a deep breath and go back to my desk. I sit at my desk 'til after five. I wish everyone as they leave a Happy New Year. Kourtney walks out and tells me she will text me the address. About ten minutes after five, Vin comes by with his coat on, ready to leave for the day.
“Hey, you ready?”
“Ready for what?”
“Well, I figured we could go to dinner and just hang out. See where the night takes us.”
I am such an idiot. I grab my things and follow him out the door.
“Where do you want to eat? I’m sure there’s a new place you have wanted to try.”
“Vin, I can’t go with you.”
“Why not? What happened?”
“Nothing happened. I just . . . I made plans for tonight. You didn’t ask me to do anything, so I just figured you were doing something else.”
“Why would you think that? We have been hanging out all the time the last few weeks.” He looks really hurt.
“I’m so sorry. I feel terrible. I should have asked, but you didn’t ask me either.”
“I didn’t think I had to. I just thought it was a given.”
We walk out together onto Michigan Avenue like we have done so many times before. The street is busy as usual, there are light flurries in the air, and it’s getting cold. I wrap my coat tighter around me.
“So, where are you going tonight?”
“Kourtney asked me to go to a house party.”
“Oh, and so you can’t cancel?”
“I would feel bad if I did.”
“So, that’s it. You are going to go?”
“I feel like I have to.”
“Okay, have fun then.” He turns and walks away.
“Vin! Vin! Please! Don’t go!”
I try calling out to him over and over. He turns the corner, and he’s gone. I feel like I could cry. I feel sick. Why did I tell Kourtney I would go with her? I have made such a huge mistake. Again. When she asked me if I wanted to go with her and her fiancé, I knew in my gut it was wrong. Right now, I would rather have no plans than go to this party.
I get on the bus to take the short ride home. I wished right now that I was heading to dinner with Vin. Once I’m home, I call Kourtney.
“Just come! You can see him tomorrow. The party will be fun! It’s really dumb if he’s mad at you. It’s not like you guys are a couple. So, you kissed. You have always said you are just friends.”
She just didn’t understand “Okay, I’ll be there.”
“You better! See you soon!”
I try calling Vin. No answer. I slowly get ready and leave for the party. The cab ride takes forever. It is all the way over in Wicker Park and it is New Year’s Eve. Once I get to the party, I see Kourtney and her fiancé, and they both wave me over. I put on a smile and head over. Kourtney is trying to introduce me to all of her fiancé friends, but I just don’t care. I don’t want to be rude to them, but I just can’t stop thinking about Vin and what happened after work.
I check my phone over and over. Nothing from Vin. I sent him a text on the way over in the cab, but he hasn’t responded. It’s only nine-forty, and I have a long time ’til midnight. I hang out with Kourtney. She and her fiancé are having fun with their friends. I sip on my drink and stand there, just watching everyone around me. Kourtney is clearly a little annoyed with me, but at this point, I don’t care. I keep checking my phone. Nothing. He must have decided to go out with his friends.
Finally. It’s almost midnight. The music is turned down, and the TV is on. Everyone is partying in New York at Times Square. It had just turned midnight an hour before on the East Coast. Some guy turns the TV onto WGN so we can watch the Chicago version of the countdown. Now, we have three minutes to go. The cameras go back and forth to a variety of different hotel parties that are going on throughout the city. One minute to go. I just wished that this night would have gone so much differently.
The countdown starts: 10! . . . 9! . . .8! . . . 7! . . . 6! . . . 5! . . . 4! . . . 3! . . . 2! . . . 1!
Everyone shouts, “Happy New Year!” There’s cheering and whistles blowing and horns honking.
Kourtney grabs me and squeezes me in a tight hug. “Happy New Year!”
I hug her back. “Happy New Year! Listen, don’t be mad but I have to go.”
“What! You’re leaving now? You will never get a cab right now.”
“I’m sorry. I just have to go.”
“Okay, if you really have to go. Be safe! Text me tomorrow.”
“Okay, will do.”
I run out of the house as fast as I can and onto the street. It’s snowing like crazy, but I don’t care. I pull out my phone and call Vin. His phone rings and rings and he finally answers.
“Hello. Kelly?”
“Are you there? Where are you?”
“My friends dragged me out. Hold on a second. I can’t hear you.”
I’m freezing in my dress and coat, standing out in the cold, but I hang on. I’m not going to mess up again. A minute goes by, and I hear his voice again. He also sounds like he is outside.
“Hello?”
“Vin, I’m so, so sorry! I messed up really bad again. I feel awful. Tonight has been terrible. I just thought about you the whole night. I just wish I would have done things so differently. All night, I just kept thinking about how I wished I had gone to dinner with you.”
Tears start forming, and I’m trying to hold back from crying. “Can you forgive me? I’m so sorry! I just want to be with you. Only you.”
“It’s okay. I should have asked you, but I figured we would be spending New Year’s together. I just want to spe
nd all my time with you.”
“I know. Me too. I should have asked you too.”
“Kelly, since I’m your boss, I never wanted to push you. I always just left things in your court.”
“I know. I should have figured that out sooner.”
“Are you outside?”
“Yeah, it’s freezing!”
“I’m standing outside too. I’m going to try and get a cab and call you back. You do the same.”
“Okay.”
I try for over twenty minutes to get a cab. I keep running back into the house to stay warm and then try again. This is the worst night ever. I see some girls getting in a cab, and I run over to them.
“Hey, where are you guys going?
“We are going downtown.”
“Oh, can I please get in? I really need to get downtown. Anywhere closer to home would be great. I’ve been trying to get a cab for ages.”
“Okay, yeah get in, it’s freezing outside.”
“Thank you so much.”
I squeeze into the backseat. I text Vin that I finally got in a cab.
Me too. I thought maybe we could meet up, but it’s awful out so just head home. I will call you as soon as I get home.
I’m so bummed that we are not meeting up, but I totally understand. It’s late, everywhere is crazy, and it’s a snowy mess outside.
Okay, talk soon.
Just as I walk into my apartment, my phone is ringing. I answer and run over to my bed and get under my covers to keep warm.
“Hello?”
“Hey.”
“Getting home was terrible.”
“It was and this whole night was terrible. My friends came over and dragged me out. I was just going to chill at home on the couch.”
“Vin, I’m so sorry. I really hope you can forgive me.”
“I can forgive you. Well, we should maybe get some sleep. It’s getting late. But first, what are you doing tomorrow?”
“Something with you, I hope. Let’s have a Kelly and Vin in the city kind of day. Maybe we could try the deep-dish pizza at Pequod's Pizza?”
“Okay. I’ll pick you up tomorrow.”
“Okay. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
“Hey, by the way, Happy New Year.”
“Happy New Year to you too.”
A Girl's Guide to Chicago Page 21
