Tinsel

by Kris Bryant

  I snorted and turned my back to the bar. “I can’t believe she’s here.”

  Mo swirled her finger at my face. “Oh, I think somebody’s got a tiny crush on Doc.”

  I pushed her hand away from my face and scowled harder. “No. She just annoys me.”

  “Why? Because she’s so pretty, smart, successful, and such a crowd-pleaser? Look at the girls flock to her. That’s impressive. As a matter of fact, I’m going to introduce myself.”

  “Don’t you dare.” I grabbed her sleeve and held her to me.

  “Come on. Let’s be friendly and say hello. Ang?” She reached behind her and led Angie to where Taylor stood.

  I felt ridiculous standing there alone so I casually walked over to the table where the gifts were and picked a few of them up to guess what they were. I shook the first package. Definitely gloves. The second package was probably a scarf or a hat. I rattled a few more presents just for the fun of it. My bottle of wine wasn’t the only bottle. Three others surrounded mine, but mine was decorated the most festively.

  “That’s kind of cheating.”

  I turned to find Taylor beside me, holding her glass of wine, her hip resting against the table. She looked cool and calm and so damn pretty.

  “Oh, hey. How are you?” I tried to play it off like her nearness didn’t affect me, but it did.

  “I’m doing well. How’s the kitty? Did you ever find her home?”

  I shook my head. “Not yet, but I will put flyers out tomorrow.”

  She moved closer, so close that I could smell the wine she swirled in her glass. I could feel her body heat and see the moisture on her lips after she licked them.

  “You should just admit that you’re now a proud fur mama. It’s okay. You’re doing the right thing. She’s an adorable cat and will give you so much joy. You don’t even know.”

  “I’m not keeping her.” My voice was harsher than I intended.

  She held her hands up in surrender. “Okay, okay. I’m not pushing you. If you need to find her a good home sooner than later, just drop her off at the office.”

  “I see you found Jessica.” Mo appeared out of nowhere, charming as ever. I took a step back and let them talk.

  “Yes. We certainly have history. How do you know Dawn?” Taylor asked. I watched as she became completely engaged with Mo and Angie.

  “Oh, I’ve known her since college. We both majored in engineering. How about you?” Mo said.

  “I moved here about six months ago. Dawn and Wendy brought their little chihuahua to me when she hurt her tail.”

  Mo pointed at Taylor. “I remember that. Their neighbor’s kid ran over her tail with a Big Wheel or something.”

  “Yes. Poor baby. She was such a mess.”

  “I don’t know how you do it—help animals that are hurt. When our kid cries, my knees get weak and I can’t breathe right. Kudos to you for being able to heal the animals. That takes guts.” Mo clinked her beer against Taylor’s glass.

  “Well, I have hard days, but then I see the cute little faces, like Jess’s cat, and I know it’s all worthwhile. Unfortunately, I can’t save them all, but the ones I do, I hold them close to my heart. And Jess’s cat is gorgeous and playful and so sweet.”

  “Catmas. Her name is Catmas.” I hated that nobody used her name. “And she’s not my cat.”

  “That’s a horrible name, and you know it,” Mo said and shot me the look. “We’ve been working on a new name for her, but you’re right. She’s gorgeous. Jess isn’t ready to accept that she’s a fur mom.”

  I scowled when they laughed at me. “I just don’t have the time.”

  “Now that what’s-her-name is out of the picture, you have so much free time. Plus, it’s winter, and I know how much you hate getting out when it’s cold,” Mo said.

  “Bad breakup?” Taylor asked. Her lips pursed and turned down when she looked at me.

  I didn’t need her pity. “Nothing worth talking about.”

  “Work and personal life collided,” Mo said. She bumped her fists together and made an explosion gesture with accompanying blow-up noises.

  I wanted to slink away from this complete display of my failed personal life. Angie came to my rescue.

  “All right, all right. Let’s leave Jess alone. It’s been a tough week for her. Can I get you another drink?” She reached out for my empty glass.

  “Yes, please. And hurry back. I don’t know if I can handle myself against these two.” I was afraid to be left alone with them. I loved Mo, but sometimes she pushed too hard.

  “We’ll be gentle,” Taylor said. She touched my forearm.

  I moved my arm away. She wasn’t my friend. Mo’s elbow in my ribs made me grunt. It was her subtle way of telling me to behave. I gritted my teeth and tried harder to be sociable. “Where are you from, Taylor?”

  “Denver. I moved here because my uncle ran Hillside and was retiring. I stepped in and haven’t regretted it at all. I love my clients, both the human and the animal kind.”

  “What’s the weirdest animal story? I mean, the coolest animal you’ve treated,” Mo asked. She was genuinely into Taylor’s story. I was, too, but I didn’t want to seem interested. I didn’t want to like this woman. I didn’t want Mo to like her either. I wanted to talk about Taylor behind her back with Mo, but I couldn’t find anything wrong with her. She was charming, pretty, smart, and she saved animals. If it hadn’t been for my two previous bad encounters, I would have been all over her. But she was rude and had no regard for personal space.

  “I interned at a sanctuary one summer and treated a family of meerkats, so I learned a lot about them. They’re very sweet and inquisitive animals, but should never be kept as pets. It was a great learning experience.”

  I hated that I was smiling. I hated that I was intrigued by her. I took a step back. Mo grabbed my elbow to steady me.

  “You okay? We need to get you something to eat. The gin’s going straight to your head.”

  I waved her off. “I’m fine. I’m not even hungry.”

  Angie gave my hip a squeeze. “I’m going to fix you a plate. Mo, find a place to sit down.”

  The heat in my cheeks was a combination of embarrassment and alcohol. “I’m fine. Really. I just lost my footing.”

  “Let’s sit on the loveseat over here.” Mo had her arm over my shoulders and guided me to the corner of the living room. I looked back to find that Taylor hadn’t followed us. She moved on to the next group of girls.

  “Of course,” I said.

  “What?”

  Oops. That wasn’t my inside voice. “Nothing. I’m fine. Just a little fuzzy, but I don’t think it’s because of alcohol. I wonder if I’m getting sick?”

  Mo touched my forehead and cheeks. “You do seem a little warm. Do you want me to ask Dawn if she has any medicine?”

  “No, thanks. I’m not quite sure what’s going on, so I don’t want to take anything I don’t need.”

  Angie returned with a plate of food that I picked at enough to make them happy.

  “Listen, go enjoy the party. I’ll hang out here for a bit. At least until I feel better. Go say hi to your friends. I’m fine.” I took another bite just to appease her.

  “We’ll be back.” Mo grabbed Angie’s hand and disappeared into the other room.

  I sat there feeling sorry for myself until I remembered I could Lyft home. I pulled out my phone and looked for the app.

  “Are you feeling okay?”

  I looked up to find Taylor in front of me extending a bottle of water. I took it gratefully. “Thank you. I think I’m catching a cold. It’s been a really long, strenuous week.” The weight of everything hit me. I leaned back and closed my eyes.

  “That’s the worst—the day you catch a cold. And then the three days that follow.” Her voice was sympathetic, with a touch of humor.

  “Ugh. Seriously. The worst. I usually catch one really bad cold a year.”

  “I can hook you up to an IV,” she said.

 
“Really?”

  She winked at me. “No. But you probably need to stay hydrated, so drink that water and maybe take some Tylenol before bed tonight.”

  “Yes, Doc.”

  Our almost-truce was disrupted by Dawn announcing it was time for the gift exchange. I felt strong enough to stand, so I followed the crowd into the other room. We all drew numbers and got to pick any gift from the table. It wasn’t a white-elephant gift exchange, just something fun. I found myself enjoying the camaraderie in the room.

  “Babe, we have to go.” Mo leaned over to whisper the news to me so we didn’t alert the festive room. “Melody’s running a fever. The babysitter just texted.”

  “Okay, let me grab my purse and coat.”

  Mo patted my arm. “No, you stay and draw a gift for us. I have my eye on that rectangular box or the tall cylinder gift, but not the wine. Pick wisely. Oh, and Taylor offered to drive you home. Don’t say no. Don’t Lyft. I trust her, and I know where she works. I don’t know Bob the axe murderer who drives part-time for Lyft.”

  “Taylor? You asked her?”

  “Settle down. She’s nice. Give her a chance.”

  I frowned. I knew I was being completely bitchy even after Taylor was nice to check on me and bring me water to drink. “Okay, we’ll see. Go home. Text me how she’s doing.”

  They both kissed my cheek and left. I found Dawn and told her I’d draw for them. I was number eight. They were number eleven.

  “Number seven.”

  Taylor wooted and held her hands up in victory, then circled the table and stopped in front of the wines. I watched her playfully shake them and smile when the crowd laughed. I smiled when she picked mine.

  “Number eight.”

  I held up my hand like I was in school, then rolled my eyes at the chuckles in the room.

  “Yes, Jessica?” Dawn said in her best teacher voice.

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know, I know.” I reached for a medium-size bag that had the cutest decorations on it. Somebody had taken the time to draw a snowman, Santa getting stuck in a chimney, and all eight reindeer dancing and singing. Very cute. I held on to it. The plan was to open gifts at the same time, so I waited. When Dawn called number eleven I reached for the cylinder gift that was still on the table for Mo and Angie. I wasn’t going to open it, though. I wanted them to have the joy of opening their own. By the time we got around to opening all twenty-eight, the entire room was laughing and celebrating their gifts.

  I was careful opening mine. The artwork was so cute I felt guilty tearing the tissue paper. Inside was a pair of adorable fluffy red-and-white socks that read “If you can read this” on one sock and “bring me a glass of wine” on the other one. My present also included an electronic wine-bottle opener and a set of stemless wineglasses. Suddenly my wine seemed like it wasn’t enough, and I felt guilty.

  “You look a little out of it. Do you want me to take you home? According to Mo, you live very close to me.” Taylor was hovering.

  I sighed. I really needed to be home. I was tired and my throat was on fire. “Thank you. I’d like that, but only if you’re ready to go.”

  She nodded. “This is a lot for me to take in.”

  I cocked my head at her. “That surprises me. You seem so outgoing and at ease in a crowd.”

  Taylor laughed. “I can play for a little bit, but by the end of the week, I’m exhausted. And I still have half a day of work tomorrow. Come on. Let’s say good-bye and get you in bed.”

  I lifted my eyebrow at her, and she blushed adorably.

  “I mean alone. In your bed alone.”

  I lifted my other eyebrow at her.

  She shook her head at me. “Come on. Let’s go, Tiger.”

  Chapter Six

  The drive home was a blur because I was tired and the cold was kicking in full force, but I remember Taylor taking my keys and issuing me inside.

  “Hello, my sweet baby!”

  Catmas, the traitor, pranced around her, twirling and meowing until Taylor picked her up. I could hear the deep purr from where I stood. I took my coat off and threw it onto the chair. Then I plopped down on the couch and stretched out. This cold was going to be a doozy.

  “She’s just precious. And a week on good food has fattened her up nicely.” Taylor couldn’t have looked happier holding my cat. Well, my temporary cat. I scowled at how loving they were with one another. Catmas, even though not my cat, should have been loyal to me, the person who took her in and fed her and gave her a warm bed. Instead she was sprawled out on Taylor’s lap offering up her belly.

  “Before you get too comfortable, why don’t you put your pajamas on. I’ll feed Catmas and make sure she’s got fresh food and water and make you some hot tea.”

  I grumbled at her. I hated that she was so perfect, and helpful, and so damn pretty. I knew zero about her other than she was a veterinarian and had moved here six months ago. “I don’t even know how old you are.”

  She cocked her head and looked at me like I was delirious. Shit, that was my outside voice again. “I’m thirty-one, and I think you have a fever. Do you have meds?” She stopped me from going into the kitchen. “Just tell me where, and I’ll get them. Go change.”

  I sighed and shuffled into my bedroom, where I found flannel lounge pants and a T-shirt. I changed in what I thought was record time, but by the time I got back to the living room, Taylor already had a steaming cup of tea and cold meds on the coffee table for me. She was on the floor playing with Catmas. It was sickeningly cute.

  “I found peppermint tea. It’ll help settle your stomach and warm you up. I didn’t mean to snoop, but I found the cold meds when I was looking for a cup for the tea.”

  I flopped down on the couch and muttered thank you. She was nice, and I was being an asshole. “Thanks. You can go now.”

  She stood up, seemingly unaffected by my rudeness. “That’s my cue, kitty.” I watched as Taylor put on her coat. She was very graceful, something I couldn’t believe I’d notice after our history of her running into me at every turn. She was my height, curvy, and confident. Her blond hair was straight, and she tucked both sides behind her ears so she could see Catmas as she leaned down for one more pet.

  “Thanks for the ride home. Come here, Catmas.” I held my hand down to the floor and rubbed my fingers back and forth. Usually she ran to me, but not this time. Taylor picked her up, nuzzled her for a few seconds longer, then handed her to me.

  “Take care of your mama. She’s not feeling well.”

  “I’m not her mama.”

  “Here’s my number if you need anything.” Ignoring me, Taylor slipped a business card onto the coffee table with all her contact information. “My personal cell number is written on the back. Take care of yourself, Jess.”

  I stared at the door long after Taylor left. Why was I so angry at her? For the last month, I’d been on high alert emotionally. I’d found out my girlfriend had cheated on me with my evil coworker. I’d suffered through the obligatory public breakup, and I was now responsible for another life form, at least in the interim. “Catmas, looks like you’re with me another weekend.” I was too weak and shaky to think about getting out in the neighborhood to post the flyers. The tea Taylor made was perfect—warm enough to sip, and sweet, just the way I liked it. I took the pills and stretched out on the couch. Catmas curled around my head, purring the entire time. I fell asleep to her gently kneading my hair.

  * * *

  Saturday was a blur. I got up long enough to feed Catmas and change into fresh pajamas. I skipped the shower, medicated myself, and went back to sleep, in my bed this time. I messaged my mother and Mo that I wasn’t feeling well and would talk to them later. Both wanted to visit, but I wasn’t in the mood. I ate a piece of toast, drank more tea, and turned on the television. I knew I wouldn’t last through any shows, but it made me feel closer to the land of the living. Catmas entertained herself with catnip mice that Mo had brought over last night before we left for Dawn’s party.

 
; I knew I had to buy gifts for Mo and her family, and finish decorating my place, but I just wasn’t feeling it. I was running low on tissues and hope. Sunday was going to be a bust, too. And it was supposed to start snowing again. I couldn’t miss work because I’d just taken over as Team Lead, so I had to get better. Calling in sick after nailing a job would look suspicious. I’d rather go into work and hack up a lung than be viewed as taking advantage of my new role.

  Are you awake? I could tell Mo was bored. Angie and Melody were probably asleep and Mo wanted answers.

  Yes. She wasn’t going to get elaborate answers from me. I was too tired.

  How’d it go last night?

  Shit. I forgot to check to see how Melody was doing. Fine. How’s the baby? She okay? I have your present here somewhere.

  We took her to her pediatrician today. It was just a reaction to a round of shots.

  You’re such a pro. We both knew she was the more anxious parent and panicked over every new noise Melody made.

  Did Taylor give you a ride home? Did she stay over? Wait, is that why you don’t want anyone over? She’s there now?

  I sent her the eye-roll emoji. She dropped me off and left. No biggie.

  Oh, my God. You were rude to her, weren’t you? I don’t know why she gets under your skin so much. She seems like a doll. She’s nice, smart, successful, pretty. Yeah. I get why you don’t like her.

  I inserted two eye-roll emojis. Honestly, I don’t know why either. I was just thinking that. It’s probably because I have a lot going on right now and our timing sucked.

  Well, she couldn’t keep her eyes off of you last night. Even Angie saw.

  I perked up. Really? Or are you just saying that so I’ll behave?

  You know I don’t lie to you about girls.

  #truth. Mo gave me too much of her mind with every girl I dated. Not that I had a chance or even wanted one with Taylor, but she was the first one Mo had approved of.

  Do you want me to open your present? I was changing the subject.

  Hell, no. Where’s the fun in that? And which one did you pick for us?

  The cylinder one. I was almost certain it was a bottle of whisky or bourbon. The good ones always came in fun containers.