Read Online Getting Kole for Christmas by Kimberly Krey - Free Book Online
Authors: Kimberly Krey
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thoughts because Trina is still making her way through every dress the place has in stock. It’s just how she rolls. She’ll most likely cycle back to the second or third one she tried on and settle on it. Trina’s the reason I sometimes hedge on the whole having-kids-of-my-own thing.
The thought leads me to wonder what kind of dad Kole will be. I can recall at least three times he brought Eli along for our hang-outs, but one occasion stands out most in my mind: Bowling. Kole, who usually wins every time, rolled one gutter after the next, staying just points below his brother so he wouldn’t come in last place. For someone as competitive as he is, that must have been a real sacrifice.
I sigh. Kole will definitely make a great dad one day. Like, the best. Soon my conversation with Eli is back in my head. I groan while sinking lower into the couch. If I could bury myself beneath the cushions and disappear completely I just might do it. One minute I’m glad I was so bold. The next I’m wanting to hit rewind on the evening and give myself a solid punch in the head for even thinking about revealing so much.
I am very aware that what I said to him will set things in motion, whether forward or back. If Kole feels the way I do, it could push us out of the friend zone at last. If he doesn’t, then I’ll most likely lose him altogether; he won’t want to be friends if he knows I’m secretly pining after him.
Millions of mean, fiery pinpricks stab my heart at the thought of losing Kole. My eyes start to sting.
“Would you like to try it on?”
My mom’s question throws me off-guard. “What?”
She sinks into the sofa next to me and gives me that apologetic smile of hers. “The dress you’ve been ogling since we got here.”
I fold my arms. “I hate the word ogling,” I grumble. “And I’ve never tried on a dress like that in my life. Probably don’t even have the boobs for it.”
She chuckles. “I’m sure that won’t be a problem. Besides, this place has all sorts of things to help in that area. Just ask Trina and Tiff.”
I cover a laugh and begin to fidget. First my hand tapping on the arm of the couch. Next the toe of my shoe on the bright tiled floor. “I don’t want anyone to see me.”
She shakes her head. “They don’t have to.”
I motion toward the dressing area, knowing Trina will appear at any minute. My mom glances toward the other corner of the shop. “Those are dressing rooms too.”
I spin around to see. “They are?”
She nods.
“Okay. I’ll hurry.” In seconds flat I secure my dream gown and am closing myself into one of the large, carpeted stalls. My adrenaline is pumping like I’ve started a full-on sprint. I can hear Trina talking to the sales woman; it makes me realize how close she was to seeing me sneak in here.
I waste no time in getting out of my T-shirt and cut-off sweats. The gown is absolutely stunning. Nothing bright or flashy like red or blue; it’s a color I can’t quite describe but my mom calls it champagne . Elegant beadwork traces gorgeous patterns along the bodice. Light, flowing layers of sheer, jewel encrusted tulle make up the skirt. Carefully I unzip the back, remove it from the hanger, and dare myself to step inside.
Once the thin straps are looped over my shoulders, I spin to face the mirror, unable to wait another minute.
I feared – very badly –while waiting on that couch that if I did work up the nerve to try on this dress it would be an utter disappointment. I worried that my plain appearance would somehow clash with something so elegant. Yet I can admit – at least to myself – that this is not the case. I step closer to the mirror, holding the unzipped dress with one hand, and lifting my hair with the other.
I’ve never been a fancy, flashy pretty-like-my-sisters sort of girl. I’m more simple. Common, I guess. But in this moment, in this very dress, I could swear the girl in the mirror is beautiful.
I smile and fight back
The thought leads me to wonder what kind of dad Kole will be. I can recall at least three times he brought Eli along for our hang-outs, but one occasion stands out most in my mind: Bowling. Kole, who usually wins every time, rolled one gutter after the next, staying just points below his brother so he wouldn’t come in last place. For someone as competitive as he is, that must have been a real sacrifice.
I sigh. Kole will definitely make a great dad one day. Like, the best. Soon my conversation with Eli is back in my head. I groan while sinking lower into the couch. If I could bury myself beneath the cushions and disappear completely I just might do it. One minute I’m glad I was so bold. The next I’m wanting to hit rewind on the evening and give myself a solid punch in the head for even thinking about revealing so much.
I am very aware that what I said to him will set things in motion, whether forward or back. If Kole feels the way I do, it could push us out of the friend zone at last. If he doesn’t, then I’ll most likely lose him altogether; he won’t want to be friends if he knows I’m secretly pining after him.
Millions of mean, fiery pinpricks stab my heart at the thought of losing Kole. My eyes start to sting.
“Would you like to try it on?”
My mom’s question throws me off-guard. “What?”
She sinks into the sofa next to me and gives me that apologetic smile of hers. “The dress you’ve been ogling since we got here.”
I fold my arms. “I hate the word ogling,” I grumble. “And I’ve never tried on a dress like that in my life. Probably don’t even have the boobs for it.”
She chuckles. “I’m sure that won’t be a problem. Besides, this place has all sorts of things to help in that area. Just ask Trina and Tiff.”
I cover a laugh and begin to fidget. First my hand tapping on the arm of the couch. Next the toe of my shoe on the bright tiled floor. “I don’t want anyone to see me.”
She shakes her head. “They don’t have to.”
I motion toward the dressing area, knowing Trina will appear at any minute. My mom glances toward the other corner of the shop. “Those are dressing rooms too.”
I spin around to see. “They are?”
She nods.
“Okay. I’ll hurry.” In seconds flat I secure my dream gown and am closing myself into one of the large, carpeted stalls. My adrenaline is pumping like I’ve started a full-on sprint. I can hear Trina talking to the sales woman; it makes me realize how close she was to seeing me sneak in here.
I waste no time in getting out of my T-shirt and cut-off sweats. The gown is absolutely stunning. Nothing bright or flashy like red or blue; it’s a color I can’t quite describe but my mom calls it champagne . Elegant beadwork traces gorgeous patterns along the bodice. Light, flowing layers of sheer, jewel encrusted tulle make up the skirt. Carefully I unzip the back, remove it from the hanger, and dare myself to step inside.
Once the thin straps are looped over my shoulders, I spin to face the mirror, unable to wait another minute.
I feared – very badly –while waiting on that couch that if I did work up the nerve to try on this dress it would be an utter disappointment. I worried that my plain appearance would somehow clash with something so elegant. Yet I can admit – at least to myself – that this is not the case. I step closer to the mirror, holding the unzipped dress with one hand, and lifting my hair with the other.
I’ve never been a fancy, flashy pretty-like-my-sisters sort of girl. I’m more simple. Common, I guess. But in this moment, in this very dress, I could swear the girl in the mirror is beautiful.
I smile and fight back
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