It started at Christmas

Chapter 3

The week went by super quick, all the gifts for the Evans family where arriving. Even the gift for Chris arrived way quicker than i would have thought. But my friend got i together rather quickly loving the assignment.  I put everything on my dining table and started gift wrapping. When i was done i put everything away. I texted Lisa asking if i should bring anything for Christmas. She texted back that it wasn't necessary, but me being me i ordered a few bottles of good wine and for the guys some beer.  She texted me back that the plans changed a bit and if i could make it... everyone was to be expected to be there a day early.

I sighed, it was going to be a tiring Christmas.... Its not that i didn't feel exited for Christmas, i love Christmas but i just wanted it to go smooth and to not make a fool of myself. Or worse make Chris feel uncomfortable with his own family because i couldn't keep it together.

As i was sitting on the couch watching a movie, my mind wandered. Scolding myself for my behavior, Saying to myself to just stop it. Think of him as your own family.... just put on your poker face and you can get trough this. i fell asleep half way during the movie and when i woke up i turned everything off and went to bed. 

I woke up around ten , headed to the kitchen for breakfast. Today was lunch day with Scott,  even though Chris wasn't going to be there i felt nervous. A little voice in my head was nagging, saying it wasn't a good idea. i brushed it aside. I took a shower, and stood in front of my closet deciding what i would wear for way to long. Deciding on just jeans and a blouse a leather jacket and some sneakers. I put my hair up in a ponytail and put on some light make up before spritzing on some perfume.

I got into my car and drove to Chris his house with the directions Scott had given me. The closer i got the more my nerves where getting to me. I parked in the driveway turned off my car but i was glued to my seat. Trying to calm myself down. Scott had said Chris wouldn't be here, but what if plans changed in the family and Scott not knowing just let lunch go trough at Chris his house and he would be there. I got angry with myself stop acting stupid, you're a grown woman. I got out off the car and walked up to the front door, before i could even ring the doorbell Scott opened the door. 

"What took you so long?" he said smiling. "You where sitting in your car for like forever." I could feel myself blush. "I was on the phone with my publisher" i said lying to him.  He smiled, "when is the book coming out?" he stepped aside to let me pass. "The beginning of January," i said smiling.  "And i wanted to talk to you about that." He looked at me confused as to why.. "Okaaay? lets do that while we eat" he smiled, and  we walked to the kitchen i looked around me. "Your brother has a very lovely home, very homely." Scott smiled "yes it is, a lot of nice memory's here." 

"So what did you wanna talk about?" he said while we sat down at the table. "I wanted to ask if you want to read a few pages of my book at the launching? it will be a zoom thing, if youre worried about that" I said.  He looked back at me stunned, "Dont you wanna do it yourself?" he asked. "Nope i would like you to do it, I will gift you the first official copy and then you read a few pages."  He looked at me with a big smile. "I would be honored" he said hugging me. "Good ill let my people know, and we will work out the details." 

After lunch i helped him clean up, i felt a little bit more comfortable and was bit more relaxed. We where sitting in the kitchen talking when all of a sudden we heard de door open and close, I felt panic starting to rise.  Dodger was the first one running into the kitchen, running up to me jumping all over me. It took everything in me to not freak out, deciding in a split second that the best way to calm down was to fuzz over Dodger. I dropped on my knees cuddling Dodger giving him kisses telling him how much i missed him. A voice made itself known. "Are you going to introduce me to your friend Bubba?" 

I got up took a deep breath to calm my nerves, looked up put on my most charming smile stretched out my hand for him to shake. "Hi it so nice to finally meet you in person i am Olivia, But my friends call me Liv." He took my hand shaking it, looking me in the eye and a million dollar smile on his face "i am Chris."  He still was looking at me holding on to my hand definitely shaking it longer than was normal. I looked at my hand and back up at him again. He let go of my hand mumbling, "sorry." Dodger was still dancing around us. To shake the blue eyes that where staring into my soul i dropped down to Dodgers level again, giving him some more scratches and kisses.

"You're home early?" Scott said, "Yeah it took them less long than they thought." When i stood back up again both man were looking at me. "What?! something wrong?" Scott smirked, "why do i never get such a welcome?"  I raised my eyebrow and smirked, "that can be arranged" I said smirking "no problem every time you come over... i scratch you behind your ear and and give you belly rubs..... As a matter of fact lets start now,"   I started walking towards Scott. "Who's a good boy.... is Scott a good boy?" Scott began walking backward turned around and started running, i ran after him. I could hear Chris laughing in the background. After i chased him around for a while i lost him, he hid somewhere. 

I walked back into the kitchen to an amused looking Chris, "sorry about that" i said blushing. "No worries you should see us together it is like this all the time,"  Chris said smiling at me. I laughed. "I love that about your brother the goofing around." I said giving Chris a little smile. "Soooo" Chris started to say  "why.... " just then Scott came walking in waving a white shirt in surrender. I started laughing "you're safe" i yelled. I grabbed my bag, "i better get going, it was nice meeting you" I managed to get out somewhat normal. "Yeah you to" he said again with that million dollar smile

"Ohw before you go, should we pick you up next week so we drive together to ma's for Christmas?" Scott asked.  "That's ok i have a car full of gifts so ill drive myself,"  it wasn't the reason, i just wanted my car there so that if i made a fool out of myself i could escape. "Gifts?" Chris said his face lighting up. "Yes" i said giving Chris a small smile. "I got everyone gifts," the sparkle in his eyes getting even brighter. "Okay so we will see you there then?" Scott said interrupting Chris and mines little stare.  "I'll show you out" Scott said. I turned to Chris, "Again nice to meet you" i said blushing a little. "Yeah you to..." He said and i swear i could see him blush a little to. "See you next week" he said, again giving me his million dollar smile, and i could swear he was doing it on purpose to give me a heart attack. 

Scott and i said our goodbyes and i got in the car and drove off, feeling a little more confident that i  could survive Christmas.