Grace
Are you home? There’s something I need to ask you.
Eli
Just walked in the door. What’s up?
Eli
Come on, we tell each other everything.
Grace
Ugh, fine. It’s kind of a huge favor…
Eli
You know I get nervous when you do this to me…
Grace
But anyway, I know you’re packing for your big move…
Grace’s heart starts pounding at the very thought of losing Eli.
Sure, she’ll miss her best friend.
But lately, she’s starting to feel like she’s going to miss him for another reason too.
And it’s a reason she’s not sure she’s ready to admit.
Grace
But can I interrupt you and stop by your place?
Eli
Of course. I’m actually not even packing.
Grace
But you’re moving to Denver tomorrow!
Grace
Do you need help or something?
Eli
Grace, what’s the favor?
Grace
Well…it’s more of a Holiday wish.
Eli
Grace! That’s so unclear.
Grace
Ugh, I better tell you in person.
Eli
You’re always make me so nervous…
Grace
LOL. When are you going to realize that you love it?
He has to admit, whenever Grace drives him up a wall like this…
He relishes in the feeling of delicious anticipation she creates.
But right now, there’s another feeling affecting him too—
He quickly texts her again.
Eli
Wait, how about you be here in 20?
Eli
That way, you can stop and get pizza 🙏
Grace
Always thinking with your stomach.
Eli
And you love me for it.
Eli opens the door as Grace ascends the steps to his apartment.
Grace
This isn’t my first rodeo. I know what you like.
Eli cocks his head, holding her gaze for a second too long.
Or do his eyes drop down to her lips…
And then trace over the curves of her body?
Eli
Come on in. I’m starving.
While they dig into the pizza, a Holiday romcom plays on TV.
Eli turned it on when he found out Grace was coming over.
Just because he knows they make her happy.
Eli
So let me guess what this Holiday wish is…
Eli
Do you need help covering a crime?
Grace
Nothing quite that dire.
Eli
What about help with your Christmas shopping?
With a huge grin, he whispers to her conspiratorially.
Eli
Please say no to that.
Grace laughs again, louder this time.
Grace
I’ll never ask that of you, like, ever again.
Grace
I learned my lesson years ago.
Eli
Hey, I’m not the only one who thinks the mall at Christmastime is a torture chamber.
Eli
Online shopping is the way to go.
Eli eats his pizza, waiting on her request.
Grace glances around the living room.
Grace
You weren’t kidding when you said you hadn’t packed.
Grace
Aren’t you leaving town in three days?
Eli
Whoa there — don’t change the subject.
Eli
You came here to discuss your favor.
Eli
Not my packing, or lack thereof.
Eli
First you have to tell me what your Holiday wish is.
Grace
Okay, fine. So, I know you’re moving…
Grace
But I really need you to help me with something.
Grace
Like, after you go.
Grace
It’s a New Year’s Eve thing.
Grace
And I’ll totally pay for your plane ticket back.
Grace
Just promise you’ll come.
Eli
What do you need me to do?
Grace scrunches her face.
Grace
Be my date for my cousin’s wedding.
Grace
Because my mom has been on me about my dating life lately.
Grace
Or more specifically…about the fact that it’s completely abysmal.
Grace
And I sort of told her I was dating someone.
Grace mumbles the next part.
Grace
I also kind of told her I was engaged.
Grace
I’m sorry! I just wanted her to get off my case.
Grace
She’s always in competition with her sister over us kids.
Grace
And I felt like I was disappointing her.
Grace
That’s why I told her I’d bring my fiancé to the wedding.
Eli
Yeah, but didn’t you know about this wedding for a while?
Eli
Now it’s only two weeks away!
Grace
Yeah, I er…I’ve known for a month.
Grace hangs her head in shame.
Grace
I was trying to find a way out of my promise!
Grace
But now that we’ve come down to it…
Eli sets his pizza down on the coffee table.
She wants him to be a fake fiancé?
Eli
Do you think people are going to believe we’re engaged?
Eli
Even though we’ve been best friends for so long?
Grace
It’s just for that one night, right?
Grace
We can be convincing.
Grace
A hand hold, a dance.
Grace feels her cheeks burn.
If she’s being honest with herself…
She wants nothing more than to dance with Eli.
She shakes her head to clear it.
Grace
We can pretend to date. It shouldn’t be a problem.
Grace
We already know everything about each other.
Eli holds up his hands, palms facing out.
Eli
I never agreed to this.
Grace
Please? I’m desperate.
Eli stands up and paces around his small living room.
He stops next to the Christmas tree in the corner.
He stares at the tacky ornament Grace just bought him.
It’s a lumber jack with a crooked mustache.
Grace said she got it for him because they looked alike.
And Eli hung it because he loved the sound of her laughter when she told him so.
Eli
So…I’m your desperate backup plan?
Grace
Come on, it’s a free wedding.
Grace
Are you saying you wouldn’t have fun going as my date?
Eli
You mean as your fiancé.
Grace’s voice comes out in a hushed whisper.
Grace
You’d be going as my fiancé.
Taking a deep breath for courage…
She stands up and crosses the room.
She places her hand on his arm.
If she can just convince him to go to this wedding with her…
Maybe she can convince him to stay.
Grace
Come on. One last favor for me?
Grace
You’re moving hundreds of miles away.
Eli
That’s why I haven’t packed yet.
Eli
I’m not sure about this move.
Grace
I thought you wanted this promotion.
Eli
I do want the promotion.
Eli stares into her eyes.
Grace’s heartbeat kicks up.
And her stomach twists in knots.
Eli
I started thinking that maybe…
Eli
Everything I need for my future is right here.
Grace
What…what are you saying?
Eli reaches for her hand.
Eli
After I packed one box, I just…stopped.
Eli
I found one of your sweatshirts you’d left here.
Eli
That’s when I realized I didn’t want to move where you weren’t.
Grace
You want to stay because of me?
Eli
Yes. I want to see if there’s more here.
Eli
Grace, I…I think I’m in love with you.
She throws her arms around Eli’s neck.
Grace
I didn’t want you to leave.
Grace
That was my real Holiday wish.
Grace
I wanted to be brave enough to tell you that I’ve been falling for you too.
Exhilarated, Eli captures Grace’s mouth in a kiss.
She tastes like crushed peppermints.
They get lost in the moment for a few long minutes.
And then Grace pulls back, staring into Eli’s eyes.
Grace
Wait, are you sure you want to give up this big job?
Eli eases her back and frames her face with his hands.
Eli
I only want to be where you are.
Grace
All because of a sweatshirt I left behind?
Eli
But the sweatshirt reminded me that I don’t just want a piece of you.
Eli
I need all of you, Grace.
Grace
So…does that mean you’ll go to the wedding with me?
Eli
I will. But not as a fake boyfriend.
Grace squeezes him tight, kissing him back.
When they break apart, Eli murmurs against her lips.
Eli
I’m going to this wedding as the real deal.
Grace
My mother will be so thrilled.
She kisses him once more.
Grace
I’ve never been happier.
