December 23, Monday

"I MISS your sheets already," Frida sighed through the phone. "Do you know how hard it is to go back to normal thread count after sleeping on clouds?"

I smiled, watching Satan chase a squirrel around his pen. "You can always buy your own fifteen hundred thread count sheets."

"On my salary? Please. Some of us don't have bestselling romance novels paying our bills." She paused. "Speaking of which, your apartment is officially Frida-free. Though I may have stolen one of your bath bombs."

"Only one? You're slipping."

"Well, I'm headed to Puerto Rico tomorrow. Can't pack too heavy." Keys jingled in the background. "What about you? Still doing Christmas in Witch City?"

"Actually, I'm hosting dinner here at the house."

"I'm sorry – did you say hosting? As in, voluntarily gathering people in your space? Who are you and what have you done with my hermit friend?"

I laughed, settling deeper into Rose's window seat. "I've changed, I guess."

"Clearly. Next thing you'll tell me you've joined a book club."

"No, but I did go to church yesterday."

"Now I know you're pulling my leg." Frida's voice turned serious. "Really though, Jo – are you okay? After everything that happened..."

"You mean almost being buried alive by teenage witches?"

"Among other things. Most people would be running screaming from that town, not cooking Christmas dinner for its residents."

"I know it sounds crazy, but coming to Irving... it saved my career. Maybe saved me."

"It almost killed you!"

"But it didn't. Instead, it showed me who I really am. What I'm capable of." I traced patterns in the frost on the glass. "When Curtis destroyed my confidence, I thought I'd never write again. But here... even with all the drama and danger, I found my voice again."

"And a hot man toy."

"That too." I smiled.

Frida was quiet for a moment. "But you're still coming back to New York, right? Because if you've gone full Southern Belle on me..."

"Don't worry. I'll be back after New Year's."

"Ah. Okay. For a minute there, I thought… never mind." Keys jingled again. "I should go finish packing. Merry Witchmas!"

I ended the call laughing.