Holly Garland on Santa's Lap [COMPLETE]

Chapter 32 ~Jingle Bells~

A little later, the sound of my landline ringing echoes through the house.

I answer without thinking—and instantly regret it.

"Hello?"

"Good morning, Gingerbread."

Nick. Of course, it's him.

I stay silent, unsure whether I should scream or cry.

No! I've managed not to shed a single tear since yesterday, and it wasn't easy. I'm not breaking now.

"You didn't like the flowers, Ginger? I could send white roses if the red ones are that unbearable to look at," Nick says, clearly trying to fill the awkward silence.

How does he even know that? Ugh... Tony!

"What do you want, Nick?" I ask, my tone icy.

"We need to talk."

"And you really think a phone call is the way to do this?"

"I thought you didn't want to see me anymore?"

"Yeah, well, guess what? I don't want to talk to you either! Don't bother calling back!"

I hang up before he can get another word in.

The least he could do is show up in person to explain himself. What a coward.

A little while later, the phone rings again. Afraid it's him, I decide not to answer, and it eventually stops after a full minute.

I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding, then sigh and get back to what I was doing. But the relief doesn't last. The phone starts ringing non-stop, cutting off after just a few rings each time.

Tony, sitting on the couch watching TV while I read under a cozy blanket in the armchair nearby, is clearly annoyed.

Fed up, he gets up, heading for the phone.

"If you touch that phone, I'll cut your fingers off with a cigar cutter, Al Capone-style," I warn calmly, not even looking up from my book.

"This is unbearable!" he snaps. "How am I supposed to enjoy my movie with this constant harassment? Why don't you just answer and end it already?"

No. If Nick wants to talk, he can come here himself. I'm not giving in.

But Tony doesn't deserve to suffer through this.

"Fine!" I huff, setting my book aside and getting up.

I walk over to the end table where the landline base sits, the phone still screaming. Grabbing the handset, I pull the cord out from the back. The ringing cuts off mid-sound.

"There!" I declare, slamming it down. "Now we're done with this nonsense!"

"Ugh!" Tony shakes his head dramatically. "You're so damn stubborn," he mutters, turning his attention back to the TV.

I try to get back into my book, but apparently, the Universe isn't done messing with me.

Fifteen minutes later, the doorbell starts its own symphony.

"You've got to be kidding me!" Tony groans, rolling his eyes. "I'll get it," he sighs, dragging himself off the couch.

He returns quickly, tossing a package onto my lap without saying a word before going back to his seat.

Curious, I open it and freeze. Inside is the phone I ordered yesterday.

A phone from Nick? So I'll call him back?