Christmas Invite

Ramona peaked around the corner, seeing Miles waiting at the door while talking to Sierra. She hid back in the breakroom before Miles could notice she had been staring. She was going to do it. She was going to ask Miles to spend Christmas with her and her family. Hopefully.

“Hey!” A hand smacked against her shoulder, causing her to jump in shock. She whirled around to face the attacker and saw Oliver.

Right, Oliver was staying with Miles now, so he would be there when she asked.

“Doesn’t Miles walk you over to the rail?” asked Oliver, shrugging on his jacket. Ramona nodded, trying to avoid eye contact.

“So go meet him.” Oliver released his hand from her shoulder.

Ramona looked back over at Miles. Oliver was watching as well and seeing Miles showing Sierra out. As the door shut, Ramona pushed her and Oliver back to the breakroom.

“Okay, you’re acting strange, even for you. Spill.” Oliver leaned against the breakroom table, watching Ramona as she looked everywhere but at him.

“Miles said he didn't have his family over for Christmas in years. So I want to ask him to spend Christmas morning with me.”

“You do realize that Christmas is more of a romantic holiday.”

Ramona became red from head to toe with this information.

“I…uh…I just… my family and I go to the hospital to visit sick children, so I thought if he came, he wouldn’t be alone.”

Oliver smiled, puffing air through his nose.

“Then go ask him already.”

He grabbed Ramona and shoved her out of the breakroom, sending her crashing into Miles. They landed against the back door, pushing Miles back a bit from his original spot. She wished she could bury herself in his jacket so he wouldn’t see her face red in embarrassment.

“Hey, Ramona, I was wondering when you would come out,” he teased as he helped her up. Ramona kept her face low so he wouldn’t see how red she was.

“Miles!”

They both turned around to see Oliver at the breakroom entrance, approaching them.

“I’m going to head out and pick up some paint supplies. I’ll let you know when I’m close to the house.”

“Okay, watch out for black ice.”

“I will, “Oliver smiled, opening the back door for them. Miles showed Ramona out; she briefly turned to see Oliver give her a thumbs up.

“I hope his art supply store is still open,” commented Miles as they walked across the backlot.

“W-what do you mean?”

“Well, it is pretty late; most stores closed a while ago. Maybe Oliver only needs some pencils, and they won’t be too hard to get.”

Ramona nodded.

“So now your house will be all alone again,” she whispered.

“I guess until he gets back. But still, I have my pets so I won’t be completely alone.”

“You have pets?!” She stumbled on the slippery ground. Miles was quick to catch her before she fell.

“Yeah, a lot of them. I want to be a vet, so I like taking care of them and learning about them. That’s why I get excited when I see an animal outside the restaurant.”

Ramona nodded. What Miles said was making sense as she recalled the time he had been focused on petting the cat. They made it to the corner. Miles finally let go when she was braced against the railing for support.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He waved as he headed in the direction of the hospital.

“Miles!”

He stopped and turned around.

Ramona took a deep breath before calling out, “Would you like to spend Christmas with me?”

The road was silent, with only a couple of cars passing by.

“And my family…” she added, “We visit the hospital after breakfast and give gifts to patients. Which you already know because I told you. But I would very much like it if you would come. So you won’t be alone on Christmas.”

He frowned and stared at the sidewalk for a while, leaving Ramona to panic in her head. Maybe he didn’t like Christmas because of all those Christmases spent alone. What if he had a fear of hospitals? What if he was susceptible to being sick? What if he was once trapped in a hospital on Christmas and had terrible memories?

“Sure.”

She looked up to see a genuine smile cross his face that warmed her down to her toes.

“Really?”

Miles nodded,”it sounds like fun.”

“Okay. We’ll meet in front of the hospital at 9:00am.”

“Alright. See you then.” Miles waved, about to leave, but he turned around as he realized something.

“And tomorrow, because we work together.”

Ramona giggled, looking over at Miles, a bit of pink rising on his cheeks, probably from the cold. He waved goodbye. Ramona did the same before they both turned and headed to their homes. Both feeling a little warmer.