Christmas Catch: A Holiday Novella by The 12 NAs of Christmas, Chelsea M. Cameron Read Free Book Online

back to clean the rest of the kitchen. “Not a thing.”

 
     
     
     
     

     
    The next day I’m busy getting my presents together for my parents and siblings. It’s nothing too fancy, some new thick work gloves for Dad, some new shampoo, body wash and bath salts for Mom, a funny trucker hat for Drew and a cute tote bag for Stacy. I also have some little candies and toys for my nieces and nephews to put in their stockings. The rule at the Emerson house is that stockings are not to be hung until Christmas Eve. So many rules with Christmas.
    I get everything wrapped and ready to go, but I feel like I’m missing something.
    Sawyer. Of course I didn’t plan on him being here, so I didn’t plan on needing a present. I don’t have anything to give him, and there’s no way I can find anything in Saltwater that he couldn’t just buy himself. It’s too late to order anything online, even if I knew what to order. So I’m screwed. Gotta be creative with this one.
    What in the hell could I possibly give him? I’m coming up blank. This is going to require some thought. I grab my phone and text Allison.
    What would you get your ex bf for xmas?
    I’ve got no one else to ask, and I only have to wait a few seconds for a response.
    Do we want him to be an un-ex? Or do we hate him and just have to give him something?
    God, wasn’t that the question.
    Before I could figure out what I wanted to get him, I had to figure out what I wanted it to mean. It shouldn’t be too romantic, or give him any romantic ideas. I don’t want him to read anything into the gift. It should be plutonic.
    Plutonic gift.
    I wait a few more seconds for a response.
    Gift card? Blow job?
    Yeah, neither of those is going to happen. Especially the second one. She is being completely unhelpful and I suspect it’s on purpose.
    If you don’t want to help me, that’s cool.
    The phone rings.
    “Look, I don’t know this guy. I only know him from what you’ve told me about him. He’s a guy. Guys are so hard to buy for. That’s probably why I never seem to have a boyfriend around any major holiday. I think I sabotage the relationship so I don’t have to buy them a present. So I’m the wrong person to ask, babe.” I sigh.
    “I know, but I didn’t think this was going to be an issue. Why haven’t I thought of this until now?”
    “Uh, I don’t know, but you better think of something quick. Good thing you’re not Jewish, then you’d have to get him seven. I’m sure you’ll come up with something. By the way, when are you getting out of there?”
    That’s another mysterious question. Now that I’m here, and mom’s told me how much she wants me to stay . . . I don’t know.
    “No idea, but I’ll keep you posted. What’s up with you?” She tells me about how her holidays are going and then launches into funny stories about her bubbe. I adore that woman. Best advice you can ever get is from my friend’s Yiddish grandmother. Talking with her is sometimes like being in a Saturday Night Live sketch, only it’s real.
    “Okay, well let me know what you come up with, and when you’re coming back. I freaking miss you,” she says.
    “I miss you, too. I’ll keep you posted. Over and out.”
    “Roger, roger.” She hangs up and I’m left without any ideas. I can’t just get him nothing. Or not get him anything. However that’s supposed to go. Well, I’m not going to get any ideas by sitting around the house.
    “There you are. I was going to send one of the kids in to make sure you hadn’t jumped out the window and bailed,” Mom says as I walk back to the kitchen. The kids are strangely quiet, all parked in front of the television and munching on various snacks. Yup, I’m gonna have to vacuum again.
    “I was wrapping presents, for your information.” I grab a handful of chips from the bowl she’s refreshing for the minions.
    “Do you have one for Sawyer?” She asks casually, but she is definitely fishing. I don’t want to talk about