They wandered the nightwear aisle, and Samantha found a really nice pair of warm and pretty mint green pajamas.

“I think she’ll love those,” Molly said. “I would love those, though I have to admit, I’m fond of these with the dinosaurs on them.”

Samantha laughed. “I like those, too. But I think I’ll get these green ones. And the purple ones with the daisies on them as well. Now to hunt down some socks for her, and that should take care of Grandma.”

While Samantha wandered the sock aisle, Molly found a sweater that would look amazing on Samantha. Since she knew Sam’s grandmother couldn’t get out much to shop, and since Samantha’s parents were gone, there was no one around to buy gifts for her, so Molly bought the sweater and tucked it in her bag. She also found a blouse for her mom, and a sweatshirt she knew her dad would love.

Then it was on to the next store on their lists.

Two hours later they met up at the mall entrance, then headed over to the sushi place and had dinner.

Molly was stuffed by the time they left, so Chelsea suggested they stop at one of the nearby dance clubs and work off dinner.

“Are you kidding?” Megan said as they stood outside the restaurant. “My feet are killing me from wandering around the mall. How about we go sit somewhere and drink?”

“I’m with Megan,” Emma said.

Chelsea sighed. “You all have no stamina. Fine. Where would you like to go?”

“How about Bash’s bar?” Jane suggested. “That way we’re all closer to home.”

“I agree with that,” Molly said.

They convoyed over to No Hope At All. It was busy for a Saturday night, to be expected since Bash’s place was where everyone gathered to drink, watch sports on the big-screen televisions, and play pool.

Tonight, basketball and hockey were prevalent. Chelsea wrangled them a large table near the back by the wall, which was perfect and out of the line of fire, since it was rowdy tonight.

“I’ll get us drinks since the waitresses look slammed,” Chelsea said. “I’ve decided we should all start with a holiday martini. Any objections?”

They all looked at each other.

“None here,” Molly said.

“Great. I’ll be right back.”

“Does Bash even know how to make whatever fancy martini Chelsea has in mind?” Samantha asked.

“If not, I’m sure she’ll educate him. Or go behind the bar and do it herself,” Megan said with a smirk.

Emma laughed. “This is true.”

“I’m so glad you objected to going dancing, Megan,” Jane said. “I don’t know where Chelsea gets all her energy, but between running after the kids and doing everything to get ready for the holidays, I was exhausted after three hours at the mall.”

Emma nodded. “I’m not a shopping person on the best of days. During the holidays? It’s the worst.”

Molly stayed silent while they all complained of long lists and sore feet. Her feet hurt, too, but if she were honest with herself, this had been the best holiday she’d had in years. Normally, she shopped alone and shipped gifts home, received packages from her family, then spent Christmas Day eating a small turkey breast she’d prepared for herself while she watched all the holiday movies. She’d swear to herself she wasn’t lonely and loved her life, but Christmas was always the worst day of the year for her.

She’d spent every Christmas alone for the past twelve years. By her own choice, of course, but still, shopping with all these women had been an absolute blast. Spending time with them over the past months had been wonderful. She’d renewed old friendships and made new ones.

She was going to miss all of them when she left.

At least this year she’d spend Christmas at home, making memories she could cherish for years to come.

“Drinks for everyone.” Chelsea balanced a tray, pulling drinks off one by one.

“This looks amazing, Chelsea,” Jane said.

Molly had to agree. Whatever was in there was a dark pink and looked delicious.

“Thanks. Well, Bash made them. It turns out there is no drink he hasn’t heard of before or can’t make. And here I thought he was just a beer and hard liquor guy. Damn him.”

Molly laughed, then took a sip. “It’s a great martini. Is that pomegranate I taste in this?”

Chelsea put the tray aside, then lifted her glass to take a drink. “Yes. Pomegranate vodka and peach schnapps.”

Emma took a sip, then licked her lips. “Oh, yum.”

“Yum is right,” Megan said. “I love this.”

They had their drinks, and then discussion turned to work life as well as personal.

“Settling into married life now, Emma?” Megan asked.

Emma beamed a smile. “Perfectly. Not that much changed, really. We just went from cohabitating with different names, to doing it with the same name. And a lot of paperwork changes to go with it. But honestly, we’re more in love every day.”

“Nauseatingly romantic, you two,” Chelsea said, taking a long swallow of her martini. “You and Jane both. It’s all blah blah blah love and sex, all the time.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Samantha said, clinking her glass against Chelsea’s. Megan clinked as well.

“You say that now,” Jane said. “Only because some hot guy hasn’t come into your lives and lit your panties on fire.” Jane blinked. “And I can’t believe I just said that.”

Emma laughed. “I can.”

Jane turned to Molly. “Okay, subject change. Molly, how’s it going with Carter?”

“It’s going good. I’ve ordered new computer software. That’s being installed next week and I think it’ll be a much more efficient system. Plus we’re moving to a new server that will link all the shops. I think Carter’s going to be very happy, once everyone’s up to speed on the changes, but it’s a user-friendly system, so I don’t think the learning curve will be great.”

“Awesome,” Emma said. “But I think what Jane really meant was how are things going between you and Carter on the personal front.”

“Oh. We’re fine.”

“In other words,” Megan said, “Molly doesn’t want to share all the dirty details about how Carter lights her panties on fire.”