Happiest Christmas

By Elena C. Torrisi

When her best friend asked her to pretend to be his girlfriend for Christmas with his family, Ashley didn’t hesitate to agree. But what happens when she falls for his sister?

17,500 words
CW: mild swearing, vanilla sex, parental homophobia

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elena C. Torrisi
• Release date: Feb 16, 2021

Elena C. Torrisi

Elena C. Torrisi does not exist and may or may not ever write something else.

Book preview

Happiest Christmas

Copyright 2021 Elena C. Torrisi

Published by Elena C. Torrisi at Smashwords

Cover by Elena C. Torrisi using:

Cover photo by Kieran White on Unsplash

Cover texture from Shadowhouse Creations

This ebook is licensed under the following Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). This ebook may not be sold or re-sold.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 – Day 1

Chapter 2 – Day 2

Chapter 3 – Day 3

Chapter 4 – Day 4

Chapter 5 – Day 5

Chapter 6 – Day 6

Chapter 7 – Day 7

Acknowledgments

About the author

Chapter 1 – Day 1

Jon takes my hand and it’s actually not that weird when he laces our fingers together.

Mom, dad, you remember Ashley? Jon says, like I haven’t been his guest for the past two Christmases.

Of course! It’s lovely to see you again, dear. Elizabeth eyes our hands, eyes sparkling in recognition. We didn't know you and Jonathon were dating.

Oh, it’s somewhat recent, I say. Well, it’s not a lie. He did just ask me. In the car. On the way over. Giving me little choice and no time to wrap my head around it.

It took us a long time to get over our fear of ruining our friendship, Jon adds. I’m not sure I can hide my sneer well enough, so I opt for what I hope is a loving smile in his direction. He looks at me and, of course he knows. His twinkling eyes are challenging me not to laugh, and I may hate him a little for it, because I would be the horrible potential-daughter-in-law if I laughed now.

Oh, darling. Isn’t it wonderful to be in love, though? Thank fuck his mom thinks it’s honeymoon happiness.

Mom, leave them alone. I’m relieved to hear Maggie’s voice behind us. Jon’s parents always seem to disapprove less of him when his sister is around, and well, I may or may not appreciate her presence for other reasons.

Now there’s no need to be jealous, dear, Henry says in what I’m sure is supposed to be a conciliatory tone. Don’t begrudge your brother his happiness. Maggie bristles. Jon shifts. I tense. But we all nod and move on from the foyer.

Honey, can you take Ashley’s bag to your sister’s room? Elizabeth asks Jon. I’ve always stayed with Maggie when I’ve come for Christmas, but this year is extra ironic.

~~~

Or it would be, if I had discussed the specifics with Jon. But one does not simply discuss sleeping with one's best friend's sister, does one?

So now, here I am, facing an amused Maggie. Well, that was a surprise, she mimics rubbing her chin in thought. I'm not sure how to react. That glint in her eye tells me I’m in trouble, and not for the reasons I may have been thinking off.

What are my options? I stall, regretting not asking Jon in the privacy of the car.

Depends, she says, taking a step. Would your boyfriend mind you kissing his sister?

I take it you’re not dating anyone? This is the arrangement – no cheating. We may not be emotionally involved but we’ve agreed to never do anything that all concerned parties had not knowingly consented to.

You know I have eyes only for you, she jokes.

The feeling is mutual, I reply with a chuckle. Your brother is cute and all, but he just doesn’t get me, y’know…

Mhmm, she takes a step back. That’s why he’s your best friend.

Well, he’s sweet. I grin when she arches a brow. For a man.

She looks at me for a moment, mirth gone from her eyes.

I feel like you’re avoiding the question.

Me? I clutch my non-existent pearls. Never!

That eyebrow is back up, along with some of the amusement in her gaze.

Well... I pause. We haven’t really discussed it. Any of it really.

She folds her arms. He sprung this on you, didn’t he?

I smile at her outrage. It’s fine, I doubt it’s gonna change anything.

You don’t know my parents. She sighs and lets her arms drop.

She goes to sit on the bed, and I flop beside her. When she turns to me, she’s frowning in confusion.

But why did he ask you to do that? Why now? I don’t think my parents have been more insistent than usual... she trails off.

Apparently, your parents have invited his ex for Christmas this year.

Ugh, that coward, she huffs. I sincerely doubt Gabriela would feel anything but awkward around him anyway.

Maybe he wanted to spare her too?

She guffaws, and doesn’t dignify this with an answer.

Come on, she pats my leg. Let’s go help mom with dinner.

Chapter 2 – Day 2

I wake up with my legs tangled with Maggie’s, her cold feet pressing against my calves. The air outside of the cocoon of warmth under our duvet is frigid. The house is old and creaky and leaks heat like a sieve at night. Once the sun fully rises, the bedroom will be more pleasant, but right now I snuggle closer to the cold-feet offender to try and get back to sleep.

Alas, it is not