Christmas was approaching, Gary noticed the decors whilst coming to work. It has been a while... some 10 years. Christmas was not a major holiday in Asia, so he has quite forgotten how it feels like. Not that he cared much for it. Even before his travels, the occasion meant nothing to him but gross commercialisation and a rather painful reminder that it was time for families to gather around a warm fire and open presents. Luckily, he is working as a chef now. They can open on Christmas Day (and charging more money! Good for the business!), so no need to think about how to spend away the holidays.
He remembered college time, when he would always stay on campus during December. Miranda had to go home for Christmas, but she always got him some presents before she went, although they were always quite bizzare. Year 1, a jack in the box. Year 2, a pointy hat. Year 3, some golf balls with funny faces painted on them. I wonder if these presents inspired her to open the joke shop, he mused. She's notoriously bad at presents, but he always appreciated the kind thoughts.
Gary baked some muffins (sweet ones!) this morning, having received a text from Stevie that Miranda would be having breakfast there before going to her parents'. Seeing her coming in, looking lovely in her festive cardigans, his heart skipped a beat but he ignored it. She seemed her cheerful normal, and he was glad. He wanted her to be happy. If she's happy, I'm happy - that's all. She gleamed at the muffins and tucked in after verifying with him that they were sweet ones.
- Hm... I have missed your baking.
- And me, have you missed me?
- No, mainly the cakes - she said, then winked at him. - of course I've missed you.
- (Laugh) Come here. - he gave her a long hug, both dismissing Clive insinuating that they were dating. 'Just friends!'. Things are really falling back to normal. Just like old times. Just friends.
He listened to her talking about the dreaded Christmas at her parents, laughing at her impressions of the posh guests coming to her mum's party. Then Penny and Charles picked her up, not without her cringing at their innuendos. The next day, he got a call that the Christmas booking is cancelled. Ok, two days drinking then. And...the picture. Even though they were back to friends, he still didn't feel like removing the picture. This is a secret that he felt he could keep to himself.
Miranda and Stevie suddenly turned up to the restaurant saying they had escaped. When informed that the party at the restaurant was cancelled, Miranda offered to host a no-family Christmas at hers. She even extended the invitation to Tilly. Tilly who had done nothing but insulted Miranda most of her life. He thought this was typically kind and generous of her. Just like in university with all these hilarious presents.
The group played charades during Christmas Eve with a hilarious pact to make Stevie act out 'No sex please, we're British' whilst pretending not to know. When it's time for bed, as luck would have it, Gary and Miranda would share the sofa bed. Awkward. As he went to change, he reminded himself to act friendly and normal. He came back just as her bra was thrown on the floor, and he picked it up. Wow. He quickly saw the size, not realising he said wow out loud. He had to climb over Miranda to get to the other side of the bed, and they did a cold bed dance.
- This is great, and you know what?
- Hm?
- Don't worry about getting me a present, because I got the best present I could ever have. I've got my friend back.
- Aw... really?
- No! Where's my present you bitch?
She hit him playfully, laughing. Even in the dim light coming from the window, he could see her face, her dark shiny eyes, and especially her lips. Those cute smiley lips. He snapped himself back to the reality and said 'Night'. Suddenly he heard a loud clap, wondering what that was, to be told it was a duck quacking. Smiling, he went to sleep.
Gary did not know for how long he was trying to sleep. He was fully aware that he's lying right next to Miranda. They're just friends, yes, he constantly reminded himself, but he couldn't help thinking about all the missed opportunities with her before. They finally shared a bed (and neither were drunk, unlike last time in the Hamilton Lodge!), but they also have gone back to square one.
Or have we? Miranda, have we really made no progress whatsoever? I know I have made a huge mistake, but will it stand between us forever?
He turned around to see her in her peaceful slumber. He tried not to think about the picture whilst he watched her sleep. Her alluring sweep. Her beautiful face was ovally lined by her soft brown hair. He reached out to slightly move a strand of hair falling near her eyes.
- What are you doing? - Miranda gave him a start.
- I thought you were sleeping.
- I was trying to, but it's difficult.
- Same for me.
- You do know now, Gary, that I do think of you in a - she mouthed the word but Gary shushed her.
- I know. Me too. Miranda, I'm really sorry. - he smiled sadly - Not sure if this help, but I'm sorting out the divorce with Tamara.
- No it's fine. We have gone over this. Anyway it's nice to be just friends.
- Is that what you want?
- Of course not Gary. However, things have changed drastically between us, and I need some time to figure out what I should do. Right now it's too confusing for me.
- I understand. Take as much time as you need.
- Well what I should do now is go to sleep, but I can't. I might as well stay until the morning and snooze during the Queen's speech or something.
- I'm sure I can make you some sweet biscuits to keep you up.
- What are we going to do now, Gary? We both can't sleep. How about coming down to the shop. I fear the gang might hear us if we keep talking.
- Sure.
They grabbed their dressing gowns and tip-toed downstairs. They went to make a cup of tea in the shop kitchen when they noticed something that Stevie put up on the ceiling. A mistletoe. Why it was there, God knows (no pun intended). At the same moment, the clock chimed midnight. They looked at each other uncertainly. Maybe it's the lack of sleep speaking, but Gary couldn't resist the urge that had been haunting him all evening.
- Miranda... it's fine to have a kiss under the mistletoe, as friends, right? I mean, people do it all the time with anyone just because it's the tradition.
- I suppose so...yes.
Her dark brown eyes looked into his with longing and desire. Ignoring the kettle boiling, Gary pulled her closer, whilst leading them to the tea table. One arm grabbed her waist, the other cupped her cheek. Miranda circled her arms around his shoulder.
The kiss lasted for a while, and neither wanted to break it. Gary was taking in everything, her sweet lemony smell and her soft lips that he had been desperate to feel and taste. He hoped she knew how much she meant to him with the kiss. After some time, they broke for air. It was a gentle kiss, but not devoid of passion. The carefully constructed friendliness could not compare with the pure thrill they both felt. Miranda looked at him, cheeks flushed, eyes wide. He stroked her hair and pulled her into a tight embrace. He could feel her shaking - he too was emotional. He remembered his conversation with Stevie, and decided to brave it.
- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.
- Miranda, do me a favour please. Even just for once.
- Yes?
- Go on another date with me, after Christmas.
- Why?
- Because I want to give us another try. Sorry, I did say I'd give you time, but the kiss was ... it was amazing. Things are complicated between us, I know, but maybe we can figure it out together. We are friends, after all, right? We have been through so many ups and downs. And the date doesn't have to involve sleeping together - if you don't want to. We can just go for a nice meal, or a walk around town, or somewhere doing something. I would just like to spend some time with you. That's all I ask.
- Ok. - she whispered. They made the tea, and sat down in the shop sofa, cuddling until morning. I managed to get another chance with you. After all that we've been through, I would make it up to you. I promise you.