Your Christmas Love (The Bennett Family 10)

Several seconds later, I heard my sister’s voice loud and clear.

“Want to grab something to eat?” Victoria asked.

“Sure, sounds good.”

“Wait a second. You sound a little off.” That came from Pippa.

I chuckled. Pippa’s people-reading skills were forever surprising me but gauging one’s mood through the phone was a new high.

“I’ve had better days,” I admitted.

“We need to cheer you up. Say no more. I know exactly what you need,” Pippa said.

“And what’s that?” I was super curious since I didn’t even know myself what I needed.

“Nadine is at her store today. I’m sure we can talk her into staying open a while longer for us. We’ll call the rest of the girls and see who can joins us, and we can have a girly evening.”

My favorite girls and our usual wine in cups? Yes, yes, yes.

“Pippa, you’re a genius.”

“I know, right?”

“I already feel better just thinking about it.”

“Mission accomplished.”

“I’ll just wrap up things here and head to Nadine’s.”

I practically jumped out of my chair as soon as I hung up, gathering my things. I was so excited to leave the building that I almost forgot to pick up the bags. I was already at the entrance when I remembered and made a short detour. By the time I left the Statham building, Pippa had sent me a message.

Pippa: The party is ON. Ava and Alice will join us.

Nadine’s store was ten blocks away from Statham. These days, Nadine was rarely in the shop. She was usually in her studio, designing new gowns, or supervising the sewing team. Everything was handmade.

Her dresses were sold in department stores countrywide, but she also had two shops, one in New York and this one in San Francisco. The latter had hosted many a girls’ night out. We loved it there; we were out of a house, but still in an intimate atmosphere.

“I’ll be right out,” Nadine called the second I entered the store and the bell above the door rang.

“Take your time. It’s just me.”

I loved it here. All these beautiful dresses, the comfy seating area in the front. Nadine also shared my love for Christmas decorations. Her store looked like Santa’s workshop. Everywhere I turned were either twinkling lights, globes, or fake tree garlands sprayed with white.

Nadine appeared right away. She was wearing a stunning red dress, and her dark hair fell in loose curls around her shoulders.

She had a little twinkle in her eye. “So, I haven’t told the girls to bring any wine because I have eggnog. Is that okay?”

“Is the sky blue? I love eggnog.”

I beamed, already feeling lighter than I had in hours. Away from the Statham building, it was easier to forget that damn email.

“Thanks for keeping open this long.”

“A girls’ evening was long overdue. We can all relax a little. The weeks up to Christmas are always so stressful for everyone. Delivering orders, hitting targets. Not to mention all the holiday preparations.”

“But it’s the good kind of stress, right?” I said.

“You’re right. You always know how to put things in perspective.”