This morning I woke up alone on my air mattress. I'd wanted to go home with Arden, but I hadn't been home for a Christmas with my family in ages, and I thought it'd be nice if I spent the day with them. Arden assured me she'd be home when I was ready.
It felt odd to wake up without her. I missed the press of her body against mine and, surprisingly, I found it difficult to fall asleep. I ran my hand through my hair and blew out smiled sigh. I was completely smitten; it never felt like this with Sarah, not even at our best.
I reached for my phone to send Arden a good morning text, but she beat me to it.
Arden: Good morning babe :) Merry Christmas!
I smiled at my phone's screen, picturing Arden rolling over in her bed and typing out the message. I missed her already.
Me: Merry Christmas beautiful:) How did you sleep?
Arden: Not as good as when you're here. The real question is: how did you sleep?
Me: I don't know that my back will ever recover from the air mattress. I can't wait to sleep in a real bed again.
Arden: Are you still coming over tonight?
Me: Yes I need to give you your gift
Arden: You got me a gift?
Me: Yeah, but it's nothing too big.
Arden: You didn't have to give me a gift
Me: I know, but I wanted to. I promise it's nothing big.
Arden: You're spoiling me
Me: Getting the girl I'm crazy about a Christmas gift is spoiling you?
Arden: We've only been friends a couple weeks
Me: But we've enemies for a lifetime ;)
Me: You should get used to this though. I plan on spoiling you all the time
Arden: Morgan Whitley, I had no idea you were such a romantic
Me: I'm full of surprises
Arden: I've noticed
Me: What time should I come over?
Arden: I'll text you when I leave my dad's. I should be home by 7.
Me: I can't wait. I miss you already. Is that pathetic?
Arden: I miss you too babe. I can't wait to see you tonight.
Me: How is your dad?
Arden: I haven't left yet.
Then Arden sent me a picture of herself with her book and coffee, snuggled into her permanent corner of the couch.
I replied with a few heart-eyed emojis and wondered how in the world I'd gotten lucky enough to woo Arden.
I rolled out of bed and pulled a sweater over my head before padding into the living room. My parents were both awake with coffee in their hands. My mother's smile when she saw me was bright enough to light the Rockefeller tree and I knew I'd made the right decision sleeping here last night.
"Merry Christmas, Mom," I said.
"Good morning, sweetheart. Can I get you coffee?"
"I'll grab it, thanks." I looked at my dad. "Merry Christmas Dad."
"Merry Christmas."
I grabbed the pot of coffee and poured it into one of my mother's festive holiday mugs. I quickly snapped a picture of the coffee pot with my Santa Clause head mug and sent it to Arden with the caption "I'm missing your coffee right now."
YOU ARE READING
The Christmas Olympics
RomanceMorgan Whitley has hardly returned to her small hometown of Maple Springs for the last fifteen years. Her plans of becoming a doctor at a thriving hospital in the city and settling down with her long term girlfriend were all shattered when she was u...
