Best Kept Promise (Best Kept #2)

EXTRA - Tyler's On The Naughty List

Song: Still Into You by Paramore

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The sound of my spoon clinks against the side of a white mug with an Enchanted Sweets logo. My gaze is unfocused on a dozen cupcakes that Lucy is frosting. When I feel my eyes start to water, I blink it away and take the spoon from my coffee, setting it on the napkin beside me.

"Are you okay?" Lucy asks.

I hum and take a sip of the now sweetened coffee. "Yeah, Christmas just feels weird without Tyler," I admit.

She nods and looks back down at her cupcakes. "I know what you mean," she murmurs.

"It's been almost five months. I've barely been away from Tyler a day, let alone months," I go on and rake a hand through my mess of hair.

That causes Lucy to laugh. "It's the same with Benji. I was hoping they would be able to make it home for Christmas, but I guess that's not happening. Are you doing anything tonight? It is Christmas Eve."

I shake my head. "Probably gonna hang out with Ella and bake some cookies. My parents are having this huge Christmas party, as always, but I'd rather watch Christmas movies and eat cookies all night."

Lucy laughs again and starts placing the cupcakes into boxes. "I think I'll probably show up at your doorstep too," she jokes. "I have to help my mom with a party. The apartment gets pretty boring without the band there."

I wrap both hands around my mug and nod. "You're definitely welcome to come over. Bea's gonna try to make it, but we'll see how that goes."

Lucy's smile widens. "I'll be there. Oh, and I'll bring left over cupcakes."

"Yes please. There's never too much sugar."

She laughs and goes back to her baking.

My phone buzzes on the counter and I look down to see Tyler's name pop up. I gather my keys from the surface and slip off the stool. "I'll see you tonight, Lucy," I tell her.

She glances at me and wiggles her eyebrows.

Despite the urge to laugh, I answer Tyler's call and walk out of the bakery. "Hey, I haven't heard from you in a while."

His laugh is music to my ears. "I know. Just been crazy busy. But good news, I'll be home at the end of January."

I deflate a little. A small part of me was hoping he was calling because he's stranded at the Orlando airport. "Home sounds like a foreign word coming from your mouth," I murmur.

He gives another little laugh. "I know, and I'm sorry I couldn't make it for Christmas. But promise me that you won't be kissing anyone else on New Year's."

That finally gets me to laugh. "I promise, doofus. I just miss you like crazy."

"Tell me about it," he says. "Your Christmas present should be waiting for you at your doorstep by the way. It'll hold you over until I'm home again."

My heart swells. "If you're sitting in a box in front of my door, I will probably kill you."

"Oh, now there's an idea. Why didn't I think of that?"

I open my car door and slip inside. "Is it too late for that?" I ask jokingly.

Tyler hums and says, "Maybe if I sprout a pair of wings, I can make it before midnight."