Ana leaves me with a lot to think about, which, after two glasses of wine and a dozen mini grilled cheeses, is not a good combination. I’m so distracted that I miss the entire Secret Santa Swap. I don’t know if Eleanor liked her mittens and necklace.

I don’t even know who my Secret Santa was.

But I must have been on their Naughty List.

Because I didn’t get a gift.

18

“Olivia! Hi, it’s Morgan. Chloe wanted me to remind you that her Christmas pageant is this morning. I know that things must be crazy for you right now with the holidays and all, but I just wanted to see if you could make it. You’ve made quite an impression on her and she would love it if you joined us. It’s at City Academy down in Union Square. East 14th and 5th.”

I have two options:

1. I can hide out in Trash & Treasure and try on vintage dresses all day.

2. I can woman up and walk down the block to City Academy and watch Chloe Fisher-Walton sing her heart out.

It’s an easy choice.

I pay Buzz at the register, wish him a Happy Hanukkah, and brace myself for the harsh wind that has left New York City cold and raw.

I pull my jacket tighter as I cross the street with a herd of tourists, who all stop in the middle of the road to take pictures of a Reebok store. I was like them once, so I quickly skirt around them and walk the block to City Academy. Outside of the school, there’s a long line of shivering parents. I spot Morgan and Vivian.

And, of course, Asher.

I knew he was going to be here. It’s why I was so hesitant to come. Sure, I knew that the kiss was all Bree. And yeah, deep down, I probably knew that all along. But still, it’s a lot to take in and I just want to enjoy the last few days of the holiday season without thinking about Asher and the way my heart seems to race whenever I’m around him.

“Olivia!” Morgan waves me over. “You made it!”

“Yeah,” I say, avoiding Asher’s gaze. “I didn’t keep you waiting, did I?”

“Oh, no,” Vivian says. “They haven’t let us in yet. We pay thirty grand a year for them to keep us outside until exactly nine o’clock.”

“Well, maybe they’d let us in early if someone didn’t try to start a filibuster at the Memorial Day assembly over the amount of seats another parent was saving,” Morgan says.

“She was saving two rows. It was my civic responsibility to say something.”

“Right,” Morgan laughs.