“Just be safe, Avery. It was nice having you here to help with the tree this year.” Mom smiled as I set the bottles down and hugged her from behind the couch, using the furniture to balance myself.
“I loved being here for it,” I assured her, standing once again. “I love you. Mom.”
I walked out of the door, locking it before making my way to my car. It wasn’t snowing right now, but I could see the clean white powder from a recent snowfall as I started the engine.
I pulled carefully onto the main road and drove the few minutes to Luna’s house at the edge of a forest.
It was a lovely shade of blue, not too light or dark. I parked beside her Rav and looked at the windows that were all lit up with a warm light, making me want to go inside.
That’s how Luna was, warm and inviting.
I grabbed my stuff and took in the string of colorful lights around the house as I walked to the door. It looked pretty from the porch, and I tapped on the door as I smiled at the moon shaped lights that hung over the door.
“Hi!” Luna greeted me as she opened the door to let me in. “You brought more wine! Good. It’ll go well with my snacks.”
I hugged my friend before stepping into the living room. It was an open plan with a cozy setup around the fireplace that looked into a beautiful kitchen. Luna took the wine to the kitchen as I set my bag down by the door to look around the house more. The walls were a soft cream, whereas all the color was in her vibrant couches and throw pillows. There were also various paintings and prints on the walls that I recognized as being some of hers.
There was a fire burning in the stone fireplace, and the house just looked like the owner. Luna walked over with two glasses of wine and smiled at me. “Do you like it?”
“This is beautiful, Luna. It looks like you,” I told her, holding up my glass in a toast once she handed it to me. Congratulations.”
We clinked them together as she laughed and gazed around the rooms with a radiant smile. “I love it here. I’m so glad I bought this place. I’ll show you the studio in the morning when it’s light out.”
She had her tree up but not decorated, which was the plan for tonight. There were containers of ornaments stacked in the room and a lot of snacks ready on the tables for when we needed to grab something. It was perfect, and I breathed in the tree’s scent, remembering what made Lake Placid so great.
I had a lot here I hadn’t thought about for a long time, and it all seemed to hit me at once.
We got the colored lights on the tree as music played through the room, offering a soothing vibe to the night. Luna looked like she was at peace here as she wrapped the branches with a smile, tossing her long hair over her shoulder.
“So, what have you been up to? I hear you’re working at the lodge a lot. How does Jefferson like that?” Luna asked me as we looked at the ornaments.
“He’s happy with it. I’ve been helping all over the place, but primarily with the landscaping and a little in the restaurant. I forgot how busy Peaks can keep me!” As I picked up an ornament, I remembered Luna made it in third grade. I had the same one on my mom’s tree back at the house. “You saved this, too?” I asked her, holding it up with a smile.
“My mom gave me all this stuff when I moved in. Technically, she did, but it gives me wonderful memories. Remember the Christmas party we had the day we made these?” Luna smiled as she reached for another ornament, hanging it on a thick branch on the inside of the tree.
“I sure do. We had so much candy that day and went home wired.” I laughed at the memory of my parent’s faces as I struggled to sit still during dinner. I hung the ornament and smiled at the thought of my childhood and realizing how many good times I had.
We started hanging ornaments and sipping wine as we chatted, pausing for snacks every few minutes.
“Have you been seeing anyone while you’re here? Does your brother keep you too busy for that?” Luna laughed, since she knew how protective Jefferson was about me.
I hadn’t been able to tell anyone about what was going on in my life. Not even Beth, since I knew it would sound crazy over the phone and we didn’t get to talk that much. I’d been dying inside and took a long drink of wine as I smiled.
“Yes, I have. I’ve been seeing three men over the past few weeks,” I admitted as Luna looked at me with a bright smile on her face. I knew my friend would never judge me, but she also needed to know that this couldn’t leave the house.
“Good for you, Avery!” She told me as she searched my face. “Aren’t you happy? You deserve to have fun after working so hard for so many years.”
“I am happy, but there’s a catch. They’re all friends with Jefferson and we must keep it quiet. You know how he’d feel about me dating a friend, much less a few, even though I’m a big girl now. Some things never change.” I looked at her as she nodded solemnly. “I’ve done nothing like this before, Luna. It feels a little crazy, but it’s working for all of us somehow. They’re all good guys and I’ve made it clear I plan to return to New York to work sometimes after the holidays.”
“There’s nothing wrong with it, Avery. If you’re being safe with this, enjoy yourself. The world isn’t black and white, and you don’t need to live your life as though it is. I won’t breathe a word to anyone if you tell me who these guys are.” Luna giggled as she sat on the couch, ready for the full story.
She knew all three of them from teaching yoga at the lodge, but just in passing. Luna agreed they were all gorgeous and seemed surprised that I was hooking up with Charlie, who we’d both known since we were young. We both agreed that might do the worst damage to Jefferson, but it would be worth it.
I told her that my first date with Ben was the following night and how excited I was. He seemed to be the most intense of the three, though he didn’t seem jealous at all. Ben just made it clear when he wanted something and that was me right now. I sensed he cared about me but also explained to Luna that he’d recently divorced and I didn’t think he wanted anything serious.
I also admitted to how much electricity there was between us after we’d shared some great kisses.
We resumed decorating the tree and Luna smiled at me. “Even if Jefferson found out, he has no right to judge you. It sounds like you’re being honest with all of them and that’s what matters most. A relationship is only between the two people in it and nothing else matters. In your case, it’s the four people in it and you’re all on the same page. Just enjoy it and let loose a bit.” She encouraged me as I thanked her for her support.