Tangled in Tinsel (Holidates #1)(66)

She pulls me into a hug. “I’m sorry.”

I pout. “It’s fine. I’ll get over it. It’s not like we’re in love. I just…”

Eleanor releases me, smiling as she draws back, and finishes my sentence, “Wanted your own boy band?”

“Yeah,” I sigh.

She turns to rejoin my parents in the kitchen, motioning for me to come too. But my eyes drop to my phone, teeth finding my lip as I make a group message.

Me: I’m home. Miss you guys.





No, delete, delete, delete.

Me: I’m home. Let’s get drinks soon.





No, we can’t do that. Shit. Delete, delete, delete, delete.

Me: I’m home. And, ummm, I think I quit.





twenty-seven





“Wait…she dated all of them…at the same time?”





“Are you having fun?” my sister snarks, knowing my answer as she raises her phone for yet another selfie of us to put on the ‘Gram.

“Define fun.” I chuckle, taking another sip of the cheap champagne.

I look around at all the people dressed to the nines, here in this damn ballroom ready to greet the New Year, and I’m still stuck on this year. I should’ve said no to this stupid party when my sister forced it on me. But I was desperate to get them off my mind.

Because that’s where Alec, Reed, Jace, and Cole have been. The only place actually, because after I sent the “I quit” text, there’s been nothing but radio silence.

Why did I do that? It was symbolic really. It’s not like I work for them, but I also can’t work with them anymore. That would be torture.

God, is it too much to expect for them to disregard what I’m saying on the surface and focus on what they should psychically know? I laugh to myself, taking another sip of my drink before placing it on the cocktail table I’m standing next to.

My sister rubs her shoulder against mine.

“Buck up. At least your date is adorable. He even bought an Architectural Digest to learn about all the dumb shit you’re interested in.”

I shrug, scrunching my nose. She shoves my shoulder playfully.

“You’re such a bitch, Sam. Not every guy has three friends he’ll let fuck you. And you never know, maybe he’s good and hung.”

Gross.

“I have zero interest in fucking him, Eleanor.” I narrow my eyes on her. “You didn’t tell him I would when you set us up, did you?”

Her mouth drops open. “What kind of person do you think I am?”

“The kind you are. I’m going to kill you.”

She laughs. “I said you were adventurous. And you are…” She gives me a knowing look. “Plus, I peeped at his Instagram. He has some fine-ass friends. You could do a little product comparison.”

She’s wagging her eyebrows, but I’m shaking my head.

“Oh my god. I hate you. I am not going to fuck Cole just so I can compare him to Jace. You are truly feral.”

She deadpans. Staring at me deeply, lifting her glass to her shiny red lips before she smirks.

“Your date’s name is Christopher.”

My eyes grow wide as my lips press together to hold back my smile. Shit. I totally said Cole. But I scoff, trying to play it cool.

“What? That’s what I said.”

Her long fingernail jabs my bare shoulder. “No, you said Cole…as in Cole who spit on your—”

I shove her drink against her lips forcing liquid down her throat, making her choke and laugh while swatting me away.

“I’m pressing charges,” she coughs out, making me laugh.

“Fuck,” I breathe out roughly. “I’m so fucked. I’m literally always thinking about them. It’s so embarrassing to be the girl hung up on the guy who doesn’t like her back.”

“Four guys.”

“Okay,” I bark.

Her bottom lip pops out. And I shrug before looking over my shoulder for our dates.

“Where did they go to get us drinks?”

“Who cares? Don’t deflect. I say just text them. Do a group chat. Since ya did a group fuck.”

“No,” I say, shaking my head and staring back at her like she’s lost it. “It was for the weekend. I need to get over it.”

“Come on.” She laughs. “You’re being ridiculous. People have polyamorous relationships all the time. You’re not that unique.”

My brows draw together. “Yeah, on communes…where they grow corn that weird children live in.”

She laughs at my movie reference, and I follow, rubbing my lips together before she takes my hand.

“I just think you should go with your heart, wherever it takes you.”

I squeeze her hand and smile.

“You know, sometimes you’re halfway decent, and I almost like you.”

My sister’s face stills, eyes growing wide.

“What?” I tease. “This is your one compliment a year.”

Her smile starts to grow and something about it makes my stomach start to flip. Her eyes dart back to mine, holding me hostage as she says, “If you have ever taken any advice from me, now is the time.”