Welcome to day 9 of my Hayffie Christmas countdown! As always, feedback is much appreciated!
I'm sorry this is late- I've been away, so I couldn't update. Days 10 + 11 will come tomorrow!
Enjoy!
November 18th
Effie had been barely prepared when her best friend, Portia, appeared at her front door that evening. The woman had been on vacation for a week, but Effie most certainly hadn't kept her in the dark on things with Haymitch. Portia's excitement on the matter was enough to rival Effie's, and she'd already started asking questions before she'd even stepped through the door.
"I want to know everything," Portia giggled as they stepped inside. "What does he look like? How old is he? Where does he work?"
"I'm not telling you where he works," Effie smirked, heading into the kitchen and opening up a bottle of wine, pouring two glasses before she joined Portia in the lounge. "You'll only go there and see if you can find him. It wouldn't be the first time you've tried to vet someone before I'm even properly dating them."
"Oh come on, Eff, that was one time," Portia whined. "And he turned out to be a scoundrel anyway."
"One time too many, darling," Effie shook her head. "I think…things feel different with Haymitch. I don't know why."
"Oh, that's just the sweetest thing," Portia sighed dreamily. "I wish things were like that with Anthony…he tries to be sweet and romantic but it very rarely works."
"You've been with him for ten years, darling! Effie giggled.
"Is it rude of me to say it's ten years too long?" Portia smirked, taking a sip of her wine. "No, I'm definitely joking. Although he's lucky I still love him so much after what he did for our anniversary while we were in Vegas this week."
"Oh no…" Effie tried to hide her laughter. "What did he do?"
"Well, there's a restaurant I've always dreamed of going to in Vegas and I thought 'you know, perhaps he's booked us a table there as a surprise'…"
"Oh, don't tell me…"
"He told me he'd booked, but he'd actually forgotten to book," Portia sighed. "We ended up eating food from room service on our anniversary because he couldn't get us a table at any other restaurant."
"You're serious?!" Effie gasped.
"Mm. Let me tell you, the lingerie I bought on our most recent shopping trip did not see the light of day that night."
"Good for you," Effie giggled, shaking her head. "Save it for a time when he truly deserves it."
"If ever…" Portia smirked before bursting into laughter, which in turn set Effie off too.
xXx
"So…" Portia smirked, propping her chin on her hands as she looked over at Effie. "Tell me…do you think he'll be good in bed?"
The women had finished their first bottle of wine and were well into their second, the alcohol turning their conversation into fits of giggles.
"I can't answer that," Effie responded, her cheeks burning. "But I…I imagine he would be. He seems to be very good with his hands…"
"Oh?" Portia's eyes were wide, the smirk still playing on her lips.
"Well, I told you he's a cop," Effie shrugged, refilling her own glass and taking a sip. "It's a very…hands-on job. He must be good."
"You're so going to tell me everything about it when it happens," Portia winked.
"Don't be ridiculous," Effie smirked, her words slightly slurred. "I am a lady and ladies don't…kiss and tell."
"I'll just get you drunk and you can tell me. You've already told me everything about him since we opened that second bottle."
"Oh, hush," Effie giggled. "You know I tell you everything. Just not what goes on in my bedroom."
"You'll be fantasising about those amazing blue eyes," Portia teased, making Effie flush an even darker shade of pink. "And those hands all over you."
"Be quiet," Effie pouted, but little did Portia know, she was right.
xXx
Portia left close to midnight and only then did Effie check her phone, smiling when she saw she had an earlier message from Haymitch waiting.
22:15PM
[Message received: Haymitch] Hey. You still good for Sunday?
It took Effie a few minutes to coordinate herself enough in her tipsy haze to message back. Even then, she had no control with what she typed.
23:57PM
[Message sent: Haymitch] O course. Cnt wait 2 see those eyes of yours.
Minutes later, her phone pinged with another message.
00:01AM
[Message received: Haymitch] My eyes? Are you drunk, sweetheart?
00:02AM
[Message sent: Haymitch] Of course not. Ladies don't drink.
00:03AM
[Message received: Haymitch] Sure they don't. Drink some water and get some rest. I'll see ya Sunday. H x
With a smile on her lips over how caring he'd been to her, she followed his instructions and went to bed, finally allowing the alcohol to pull her into unconsciousness.
