Page 11 of The Christmas Mistake

She thinks I want it to be more. How wrong she is.

“No.”

“Because it really is a one-off. Sorry for disappointing you.”

My fake smile turns into a real one. “No, you’re not disappointing me. Not in the least. I was hoping you’d say that.”

I don’t know why, but Chastity seems to take offense at that. She frowns.

I don’t understand women sometimes.

“Yeah, because you gotta know that I still find you super weird,” she says between her teeth. “Always have, always will.”

“And I still find you super annoying,” I reply.

“You’re such a snobby arrogant finance bro.”

“And you’re such a vapid Instagram girl.”

“Nicholas…”

I shrug. “Just giving you a taste of your own medicine.”

“You’re the one who was trying to leave without even saying goodbye. If anyone is being a dick here, then it’s you.”

I groan and rub my forehead. I feel a headache coming on, and it’s going to be a big one. This was exactly what I didn’t want to end up happening this morning when I woke up. It may be freezing outside, but I think I’d prefer running to a taxi naked in the snow than to put up with Chastity’s little taunts.

I stand up and take a step away from the bed. I find my pants on the floor and bend to pick them up. Chastity watches me the entire time like a cat. It’s like she’s about to pounce and tear me apart. Needless to say, I find it very, very annoying.

“Can I suggest something?” I ask.

“Go right ahead,” Chastity says. She’s angry at me also. Well, that does give me some slight relief. I want her to feel at least a fraction of what I’m feeling towards her. Towards last night.

I make a promise to myself right now never to get that drunk again. Sure, everyone wants to get laid at Christmas, but no one – not even me – stops to think about what that might entail.

This is what happens when you’re horny and single at Christmas. This fucking conversation.

“May I suggest that we never mention last night again?” I ask her. I stop putting on my pants and wait for her answer.

Chastity crosses her arms.

“I concur. One. Hundred. Percent.”

“Good.”

“Let’s never talk about what happened,” she says. “Ever. That’s one thing I actually agree with you about.”

“Exactly. I feel pretty disgusted even remembering what we were doing last night.”

She blinks. “Oh, come on. I’m not that bad, am I?”

“Chastity, we are simply not compatible. In any way.”

She harumphs. “You could say that again.”

“Last night was an abnormality. It shouldn’t have happened.”

“Well, you can stop going on about it,” she replies sternly. It’s the most serious I’ve ever seen her. “We’ve agreed to never mention it again, so how about you just go and leave me – and my house - in peace.”