MariaCome on, Noelle. You have to come home for Christmas.
NoelleI told you no and that’s the end of it.
NoelleI can’t handle Christmas with Dad.
NoelleI’m not as tough as you.
MariaSeriously? You’re using that excuse?
MariaYou’re stronger than me, Noelle. You’re stronger than anyone in our family.
NoelleBut I can’t bear to see Dad with…her.
MariaMom is dead, Noelle. She’s been dead for five years.
MariaYou should be happy that Dad is dating someone else.
NoelleYeah, but did he have to choose Beatrice?
NoelleIt’s disgusting. That woman used to babysit us whenever Mom and Dad had a big case.
MariaEw, stop! You act like Beatrice is some young vixen.
MariaShe’s a family friend! A good one.
NoelleI don’t believe that anymore.
NoelleShe probably had her eye on Dad during our whole childhood.
NoelleMaybe she was waiting for the day when the stress of work got between the two of them…
MariaNoelle, stop it! It’s Christmastime — have a heart!
MariaIf you’d just listen to the story of how Dad and Beatrice got together…
NoelleUm, no thank you!
NoelleI can’t because I DO have a heart — it loves and remembers Mom.
MariaDON’T throw that in my face.
MariaI miss Mom every single day.
MariaAnd unlike you, I couldn’t run away to Florida after she died.
NoelleI didn’t run away!
MariaYes, you did.
MariaLook, it’s Christmas. I don’t want to fight.
NoelleCan you stop it with this “it’s Christmas” garbage?
NoelleBad things happen during Christmas too, remember?
NoelleThat’s when Mom died.
MariaNoelle, please. I remember.
MariaLook, just…please come home for Christmas.
MariaIt’s going to be a very important one for our family this year.
NoelleWhat’s that supposed to mean?
NoelleHello?!
Ten minutes later, Noelle groans.
Her sister still hasn’t responded to her text.
She checks her emails at work.
Nothing.
She checks her phone again.
Nothing.
No messages from anyone, because her friends are all traveling for the holidays…
And because her love life is non-existent…
There aren’t any messages from hot guys either.
Sighing, Noelle clicks Maria’s name and their text conversation pops up.
NoelleFine. I’ll come home.
MariaGreat!! I already bought you a ticket.
MariaSee you soon 🎅 🤗
Noelle gets a ping on her phone.
It’s her plane ticket…and the flight leaves in two hours!
Noelle rolls her eyes, stuffs some clothes into a duffle bag and calls an Uber.
One hour later…
Noelle makes it through security with plenty of time.
She heads to the bar and orders herself a warm spiked eggnog, to prep for the journey home.
But when the bartender places the mug in front of her…
A guy’s broad hand darts out to take it before she can.
NoelleExcuse me! That’s my eggnog.
GuyI’m sorry. I thought I’d ordered mine before you, but you can have it.
GuyLadies first.
Noelle feels herself blush.
NoelleOh! You ordered eggnog too?
GuyNo whip, extra cinnamon.
NoelleSpiked?
GuyI’m afraid so. I always get a little nervous on airplanes.
NoelleMe too.
The guy puts out his hand.
GuyI’m Lawrence.
Noelle eyes him warily before shaking it.
NoelleNoelle.
LawrenceLike Christmas day, right?
Noelle rolls her eyes.
NoelleUgh, yes. Unfortunately.
Lawrence gives her a strange look so she clears her throat.
She pushes the cup of eggnog towards him.
NoelleWell anyway…I think this is yours. I ordered mine with whip.
Lawrence laughs easily.
There’s something about the way the sound emanates from his body…
It loosens Noelle’s muscles more than any warm holiday drink ever could.
LawrenceSo do you prefer whip, or extra whip?
Noelle decides to take the bait.
It is Christmastime, after all.
NoelleExtra whip, obviously.
LawrenceExcellent. Now I don’t have to feel bad about taking this drink from a beautiful woman.
To Noelle’s dismay, she feels herself blush again.
She is usually in control of every situation and all of her reactions—
It’s become second nature to her since her mom died.
Back then, even the slightest kind word about her mom would send her to tears.
And it was an act of self-preservation to keep herself constantly in check.
Noelle sneaks a glance at Lawrence and then ducks down her head to hide her emotions.
She grabs her phone as a security blanket.
NoelleUgh, Maria — this guy tried to steal my eggnog at the airport.
MariaWhat guy? Is he hot?!
NoelleAre you seriously trying to play matchmaker from 1500 miles away?
MariaThat depends on how hot he is.
NoelleFine. He’s totally hot. Happy?
MariaYES! Omg, what’s his name? Does he live in Florida??
MariaGet his number!
Noelle is about to text her sister back when she hears Lawrence clear his throat.
LawrenceTotally hot, huh?
NoelleOh my god! You weren’t supposed to see that!
Lawrence raises his hands in apology, a sparkle in his eye.
LawrenceSorry, I have a special talent for reading upside down.
Noelle feels her cheeks grow redder.
LawrenceBut I appreciate the compliment.
He writes something on a napkin and slides it across the counter.
LawrenceAnd think you should take my number.
Noelle’s mouth falls open.
But before she can speak, Lawrence downs his eggnog, gets up, and walks away.
It takes a full minute for Noelle to come to her senses.
She drinks her eggnog slowly, trying to put the infuriating stranger out of her head.
When she finally loses herself in the swirls of cinnamon and sugar…
She suddenly hears her name blaring over the airport PA system.
The flight attendant is paging HER – the plane is about to take off!
NoelleOh F&*K!
There’s an elderly couple sitting next to Noelle in matching Christmas sweaters.
They scowl at Noelle’s language as she jumps up from her seat.
She tries not to roll her eyes as she smacks a twenty on the bar.
Because, really? Tacky Christmas sweaters?
At a run, Noelle barely gets through the gate before the attendant closes it.
She tries not to make eye contact with the irritated passengers who glare at her—
And her overflowing duffle bag.
Noelle finally makes it to her seat and gasps.
NoelleAre you kidding me right now?!
Her cheeks flush with embarrassment, again.
She didn’t mean to yell that out loud.
But sitting there in her seat, flashing his devastatingly handsome smile…
Is the hot guy from the airport bar.