17. Mel

CHAPTER 17

MEL

" B e good for Krampus," I tell Sam as I grab my purse. "No wild parties."

"Mom, I'm eight."

"And remember?—"

"Don't tell anyone he's really an alien. I know." Sam rolls her eyes. "Can we have ice cream?"

"Ask your babysitter." I wink at Krampus, who's already pulling out board games.

The traffic crawls downtown, but I don't mind. Tiny white lights twinkle in shop windows. Red ribbons wrap around lamp posts. The scent of roasted chestnuts drifts from a street vendor's cart.

A month ago, I'd have been checking my phone every two minutes, worried about Sam. Now? The most dangerous creature in the galaxy is teaching her chess and making hot chocolate with tiny marshmallows.

The mall's giant Christmas tree catches my eye. Its ornaments shimmer in the winter sun. Strange how everything looks brighter lately. Maybe it's because I finally have time to notice.

"Earth to Mel!" June waves from the restaurant entrance, her red coat a splash of color against the grey building. "Over here!"

I pull into a spot and grab my purse. For the first time in forever, I'm actually looking forward to lunch with the girls. No rushing back to work. No checking my watch. Just good food and better company.

Who knew all it would take was a seven-foot-tall alien fugitive to give me my life back?

The scent of garlic and fresh-baked bread wafts through Bella's as June and I follow our hostess past candlelit tables. Tiffany spots us and jumps up, her smile bright enough to light up the dim restaurant.

"Look who finally made it out of the house!" Tiffany wraps me in a tight hug. Her familiar perfume reminds me of all the girls' nights I've missed lately.

"Someone's in a good mood." June slides into the booth across from me. "And you look different. New haircut?"

"Same old me." I busy myself with the menu, but my cheeks warm under their scrutiny.

"No way." Tiffany leans forward, her eyes narrowing. "You're practically floating. And that smile..."

"What smile?" I touch my lips, realizing I've been grinning like an idiot since I sat down.

"That one!" June points an accusing breadstick at me. "I know that smile. That's an 'I met someone' smile."

"It is not." But even I hear the lie in my voice.

"Who's the guy?" June demands. "You're glowing."

"Spill it." Tiffany crosses her arms. "We haven't seen you this happy since... well, ever."

I take a sip of water, buying time. How do I explain Krampus? 'Oh, you know, just dating an alien fugitive from the future who's great with my kid and makes a mean hot chocolate'?

"His name is Kevin." I trace the rim of my water glass. "He's... different. Not like anyone I've ever met."

"Different how?" June leans forward.

"He's protective. Strong. But also incredibly gentle with Sam." The memory of Krampus playing tea party makes me smile. "She adores him."

"Where'd you meet him?" Tiffany takes a sip of wine.

"Work. Sort of." Not technically a lie. "He helped me out of a tight spot."

"Like a knight in shining armor?" June clasps her hands together.

"More like a wrecking ball in fuzzy boots." I laugh. "But he's changed my whole world. Everything's brighter, easier. He even got my parents to back off."

"Sounds perfect." Tiffany's voice carries a note of concern. "Maybe too perfect?"

"I know it's fast." My chest tightens. "And that's what scares me. I think... I think I'm falling in love with him."

"Mel..." Tiffany reaches across the table. "After what happened with Rick-"

"This isn't like that." June cuts her off. "Look at her face. When was the last time you saw Mel this happy?"

"But-"

"No buts." June squeezes my hand. "If this Kevin makes you and Sam happy, that's what matters. The rest will work itself out."

"Thanks." I blink back tears. "I just never expected..."

"To find someone who fits?" June smiles. "Sometimes the best things come when we least expect them."

"So what are you getting Kevin for Christmas?" June asks.

My fork clatters against the plate. Christmas. Present. Krampus. The words bounce around my skull like a pinball machine.

"I haven't... I mean..." I sputter.

"You haven't bought him anything yet?" Tiffany's eyes widen. "Christmas is next week!"

"Check please!" June waves at our waiter. "Emergency shopping trip."

Before I can protest, they drag me through the winter wonderland of New York's Upper East Side. Store after store, nothing seems right.

"What about this sweater?" Tiffany holds up a cashmere turtleneck.

"He's... broad-shouldered." And blue. And furry. "Nothing here would fit."

"Cologne?" June suggests, spritzing the air with something musky.

"Sensitive nose." I wrinkle mine at the memory of Krampus sneezing through an entire dinner after Sam sprayed air freshener.

"A nice watch?"

"His wrists are too big."

"Electric razor?"

I bite back a laugh.

"Trust me, he doesn't need one."

June and Tiffany exchange looks. The kind that makes my stomach drop.

"What?"

"We've been thinking about this all wrong." Tiffany grins.

"We already know the perfect gift for Kevin." June links her arm through mine.

"What?"

"You." They say it together, like they've rehearsed it.

Heat creeps up my neck.

"Me?"

"We just need to make sure you're properly..." June's eyes sparkle with mischief. "Wrapped."

The bell chimes as we enter Victoria's Secret. The scent of vanilla and jasmine wraps around us like an expensive perfume cloud.

"What about this?" Tiffany holds up a cheerleader outfit complete with pom-poms.

"He wouldn't get the reference." The thought of explaining Earth high school traditions to Krampus makes me snort.

"Ooh, sexy schoolgirl!" June waves a plaid miniskirt.

I shake my head. "Same problem."

"French maid?" June asks.

"He'd ask why I'm dressed as household staff." I reply.

"Nurse?" Tiffany offers.

"Earth medicine confuses him."

June puts her hands on her hips. "

You're being awfully picky about these costumes."

"Kevin's not from around here," I mumble, fingering a silk negligee. "Different cultural background."

"Then stop trying to be someone else." June grabs my shoulders. "Pick something that makes YOU feel sexy. Trust me, Kevin will LOVE it."

Tiffany holds up a midnight blue silk neglige. "For about twenty seconds before it ends up on the floor."

My face burns, but I take the robe. The silk feels cool against my skin, and the color...

"It matches his..." I catch myself. "Eyes."

"Perfect!" June claps. "Now let's find something to go under it."

I browse through the racks, ignoring the costumes and focusing on simple, elegant pieces. A lace-trimmed chemise catches my eye. The same deep blue as the robe, with delicate silver threads woven through the fabric.

It reminds me of starlight on alien worlds I've never seen.

"That's the one." June nods approvingly. "Classic. Sophisticated."

"Very you," Tiffany agrees.

I run my fingers over the lace. For the first time since we entered the store, everything feels right.

I hug June and Tiffany tight outside the mall entrance, breathing in their familiar perfumes one last time.

"New Year's Eve," June says. "No excuses this time."

"Bring Kevin," Tiffany adds with a wink. "We need to meet this miracle man properly."

"I'll ask him." The thought of Krampus at a New Year's party makes me giggle. "Though he might be busy that night."

"Doing what?" June raises an eyebrow.

"Important... business things." I wave vaguely and hurry to my car before they can ask more questions.

The drive home feels lighter somehow. Christmas music plays on the radio - "All I Want for Christmas is You" - and for once I don't change the station. My fingers tap the steering wheel in time with the beat.

A glance at the pink Victoria's Secret bag in my passenger seat sends a flush of heat through my whole body. The silk and lace peek out just enough to remind me what's inside. What it means.

The streetlights catch the silver tissue paper, making it sparkle like stars. Like the ones Krampus must have seen on his travels through space. I wonder if Earth's Christmas lights remind him of distant galaxies.

I hum along with the radio, imagining his face when he opens his "present." Will he understand what it means? Or will I have to explain Earth courtship rituals again?

The thought should make me nervous. Instead, it just makes me smile wider. For the first time in years, I'm actually looking forward to Christmas. To decorating cookies with Sam. To watching holiday movies cuddled up on the couch.

And yes, to giving Krampus his very special present.

The glossy bag catches the light again, and my cheeks warm. Christmas can't come soon enough.