Last Christmas (Private 0.60)

"Where you headed?" the cabbie asked gruffly from the front seat.

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"Train station," she replied flatly.

A Christmas tree-shaped air freshener swung from the rearview mirror, filling the cab with the thick stench

of pine. Traces of cigarette smoke and sweat seemed to rise up from the torn leather seats. Breathing through

her mouth to block the stench, Ariana pulled Mr. Holmes's cell phone from her coat pocket. She blocked the

number before dialing.

"Hello?" Daniel answered after the first ring.

"It's me." Ariana kept her voice low.

"Who is this? Wait a minute. You sound familiar. A little like my girlfriend." Ariana couldn't decide whether

Daniel sounded relieved or angry. She decided she didn't have the energy to care.

"It was the storm. I couldn't get out," she replied, her words clipped.

"My parents keep asking about you. Asking when you're coming. Don't really know what to tell them,

Ariana."

Annoyed. Definitely annoyed.

"I'll be there tonight." Already she felt tired.

"Tonight?" The edge in Daniel's voice suddenly softened. "I'll meet you at the station. What time does your

train get in?"

She heard rustling papers over the familiar sound of ESPN in the background.

"I don't know yet," she said quickly. "Don't bother coming to the station. It'll be late. I'll meet you at the

lodge, okay?"

She screwed her eyes shut, praying that Daniel would agree. She needed time. Time to transform herself into

the sweet, smiling

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girlfriend she'd have to play for the next two weeks. The more time she had, the better.

"You sure?" Daniel sounded uncertain.

"Yeah. I'll call you when I get to the lobby."

"Okay. So I'll see you when you get here," Daniel paused, and silence buzzed over the line. "I love you,

Ariana."

She felt every muscle in her body tighten. "Me too," she managed.