The beauty shop smelled nicely of nail polish, hair products and the kind of gossip that didn't wait to be invited. Warm air hummed from space heaters by the window; soft jazz spilled from hidden speakers, blending with the rhythmic clink of nail tools.
Sophie was already in one of the big pedicure chairs, feet soaking in bubbly blue water, scrolling on her phone with a smirk that meant she was definitely talking about someone in her head.
Amy pushed through the glass door, shaking off cold air. Bells chimed.
"Finally," Sophie said looking up. "I was about to send a search party. Maybe hire a private investigator. Track your last known location."
Amy raised an eyebrow. "Relax, Sherlock. The subway was slow."
"No excuse," Sophie said, waving dramatically at the empty seat next to her. "Sit. Immediately."
One of the attendants, a woman in lavender Crocs, came over with a polite smile.
"Would you like a manicure or pedicure today?"
Amy shook her head quickly. "Oh...no. I'm fine. I'm just here to keep this one company while she gets treated like the princess she thinks she is."
Sophie snorted. "Excuse you, you're getting something. You don't get to ruin my girl date energy with your martyr complex."
"No, really, I don't want...."
Sophie didn't even look at her. She turned to the attendant and pointed.
"She'll do a nude coffin set for the hands, and a peppermint scrub pedicure."
Amy stared. "Sophie...."
"Nope," Sophie said, eyes still on her phone. "Not listening. Christmas is literally in two days, you're going to Virginia tomorrow, and there is absolutely no universe where my best friend shows up in Charlottesville looking like she types manuscripts for Charles Dickens."
Amy rolled her eyes. "I don't type manuscripts...."
"Exactly," Sophie cut in. "Which is worse. So, sit. Look pretty. Let me live through you."
Amy sighed in surrender, dropping into the chair. "You're a menace."
"Thank you," Sophie said sweetly. "They should put that on my tombstone when I die."
The attendant dipped Amy's hands in warm water, and slowly, Amy let her shoulders loosen.
The chatter around them turned soft, nail files, low conversation, the faint hum of dryers.
"So," Amy said, leaning back, "tell me about Darren before you explode."
Sophie's whole face brightened instantly. "Oh my God. Okay. So, this man....This man...."
"Already screaming," Amy commented.
"He booked his flight. He'll be back tomorrow."
Amy blinked. "Tomorrow as in same day I leave?"
"Yep." Sophie made a dramatic pout. "Which means the universe hates me cause my best friend is abandoning me for holiday romance but on the brighter side, I reunite with my boyfriend, and life's still good."
Amy laughed. "You're ridiculous."
"No, I'm tragic," Sophie corrected. "It's like the Hallmark Channel hates me specifically."
Amy nudged her with her elbow. "You'll survive. You have Darren. And he actually likes you."
Sophie pointed a toe at her. "Wow. Groundbreaking analysis."
They both giggled, the kind of laughter they had to stifle because the woman doing Sophie's toes gave them a stern look.
After a while, Sophie asked, "So… you're really good with going to Virginia?"
Amy inhaled slowly. "Yeah. I am."
"Like truly?"
Amy stared at the wall for a moment, eyes softening. "I just want to unwind, you know? Jace's family is expecting me. They're so… nice. And after what happened last time...."
Sophie's eyes flickered. She remembered. The big fight between Jace and his father and the kind of silence that lasted for days between Jace and Amy.
Amy continued, quieter, "We never really went back after that. It was like everyone was holding their breath. And now… this holiday feels like a chance to… not fix everything, but at least sit in the same room without the world ending."
Sophie softened. "And you want to be there for him."
Amy nodded. "Yeah. I love him. And things are complicated here right now. Manhattan kind of feels like it's… buzzing with drama. Everything reminds me of something I don't want to think about."
She didn't say her mom's name, but it floated between them anyway.
"So," Amy shrugged lightly, "I don't really have anything keeping me here. Better to spend Christmas in Virginia, surrounded by people who actually want me there."
Sophie reached over with a freshly lotioned hand and poked Amy's cheek. "I'm really glad you're doing this, babe."
Amy smiled. "Thanks, Soph."
They fell into a comfortable silence as the attendants worked,warm water, gentle hands, quiet pampering.
At one point, Sophie squinted at Amy's nails. "See?, this colour looks so nice on you, not that pale pink you usually pick that makes you look like a Victorian ghost"
Amy rolled her eyes again. "I hate you."
"Love you too."
They laughed, loud enough that an elderly woman in the corner chuckled at them.
"It's really cute, the only thing missing is a cute engagement ring"
Amy's cheeks flushed. "Shut up."
"No, seriously. What's Virginia without a little engagement ring drama under Christmas lights? Are you kidding me? It's literally fanfiction waiting to happen."
Amy snorted, shaking her head. "You need help."
"You know I'm right" Sophie shot back as they laughed.
The attendants finished, massaged their calves and wrists, then wrapped warm towels around them.
Amy stared at her own hands, shiny and neat, and she couldn't help but agree with Sophie that this coffin nude actually looks good on her.
Sophie stretched, toes wiggling. "Okay. Now we go get hot chocolate and you tell me every detail of your travel outfits."
Amy smirked. "Travel outfits? That's a thing?"
"Absolutely," Sophie said, grabbing her purse. "You can't show up to Virginia looking like seasonal depression."
They stood, paid, wrapped scarves around themselves, and stepped back into the cold December air.
The wind rushed by, festive lights blinked across the street, and Sophie looped her arm through Amy's.
"Christmas in two days," Sophie said with a grin. "Better be unforgettable."
Amy squeezed her hand.
"Yeah," she murmured.
"I think it will be."
The streets sparkled with holiday lights strung along lampposts, red ribbons tied around every pole like the city was trying to dress itself up before Christmas arrived.
"Hot chocolate," Sophie announced, pointing down the block toward a tiny café wedged between a thrift shop and a florist. "I need chocolate in liquid form after all that emotional labor I just did."
Amy snorted. "Choosing a nail color is not emotional labor."
"With you?" Sophie lifted her chin dramatically. "It is warfare."
They walked over to the door and pushed open the café door. A burst of warmth wrapped around them, rich with cinnamon, cocoa, and that impossible smell of baked cookies someone must have made few minutes ago. The place was big, crowded with mismatched chairs and one huge artificial Christmas tree covered in ornaments.
The barista, a guy with a peppermint-striped beanie, gave them a smile.
"What can I get you?"
Sophie slapped the counter like a businesswoman making big decisions.
"One large hot chocolate with extra whipped cream, extra marshmallows, extra....everything. Basically, make it illegal."
Amy shook her head. "Just a regular hot cocoa, please."
Sophie turned slowly. "Regular?"
"Yes."
"You disgust me."
Amy grinned. "I know. I'm a monster."
They paid and found a small table by the window. Outside, people rushed past with shopping bags and bright scarves, the city buzzing with last-minute holiday stress.
Sophie wrapped both hands around her cup. "So, Virginia. Packing. Are we doing cozy sweaters or 'Jace take my picture in this vibe' outfits?"
Amy opened her mouth to answer… then froze, eyes flicking to a handwritten chalkboard by the café door.
It read: LOCAL KIDS' CHRISTMAS EVE FAIR TOMORROW
and underneath, scribbled in smaller chalk: Free cocoa for children 10 and under!
Amy's heartbeat did a weird soft thing she didn't expect.
Kids.
The bookstore.
Little Penny.
Without thinking, she blurted, "Hot cocoa."
Sophie blinked, mid-sip. "What?"
"Hot cocoa," Amy repeated, the idea unfolding fast in her mind like it had been waiting all day.
"Uh huh.....that's what we're having" Sophie said dropping her cup.
"No....for the kids at the bookstore tomorrow. They're coming in for the Christmas reading and I think...."
"Pause," Sophie said, pointing her spoon at Amy. "Are you about to buy hot cocoa for a whole bunch of kids where you work?"
"Yes."
"You are insane."
Amy smiled slowly. "I know.… it'll make them happy."
Sophie's expression softened, the sarcasm melting away. "You're thinking of Penny, aren't you?"
Amy nodded.
Little Penny with her mismatched socks and loud giggles was a tiny regular who came with her mom to every storytime Thursday, always smelling like bubblegum and crayons.
Sophie sat back. "This is why I love you. Your brain just goes from 'nails' to 'children's joy' in one minute."
Amy shrugged, cheeks a little warm. "I just… want to do something nice before I leave. Something simple and sweet."
Sophie raised her hot chocolate in a toast. "To hot cocoa to tiny humans."
Amy clinked her cup against Sophie's. "To tiny humans."
They drank, and the door chimed. Cold air swept in. A little girl with a red-checkered hat skipped inside with her mom. She looked around like she was searching for treasure.
It wasn't Penny but something about her reminded Amy anyway. "Okay," Sophie said, pulling out her phone already. "Which place are we going? Don't say here. I don't have the man power to carry hot cocoa all the way to Fictional escapes. The kids don't know the difference. They just want something hot and sugar."
"Mr. Dell's on 3rd," Amy said immediately. "He has those mini cups with sprinkles. Penny loves the rainbow sprinkles."
Sophie raised an eyebrow. "You memorized that?"
Amy peered into her cocoa. "I pay attention."
"Ew," Sophie said, fake gagging. "You're adorable. Get help."
Amy laughed, shaking her head.
"You better start having your own kids so you won't kidnap this Penny girl"
That made Amy laugh again. "After this, we'll walk over there. I'll get a bunch. Enough for tomorrow and extras so the kids that show up on Christmas can get some too."
Sophie tapped her phone screen aggressively. "I'm making a list. We're doing different flavors so they don't riot. I mean those tiny cakes, Chocolate. Vanilla. Strawberry. That blue one that stains their tongues and cookies too. And that green thing that nobody actually eats"
"Mint?" Amy laughed.
"Yes. Mint. Respectfully disgusting but festive."
Amy finished her drink and stood, grabbing her coat. "You ready?"
Sophie slurped down the last of her white chocolate and hopped up. "Born ready. Let's go buy some sugar coated cookies in winter."
As they stood to leave, Sophie stopped on her tracks. "This woman of mine, you're leaving for virginia tomorrow, we forgot that detail".
"Oh darn, I actually forgot" Amy said visibly worried as she sat back down.
"Don't worry, I got it all covered, we could get the cocoa and go straight away to Fictional escapes right now and share them."
"That could work too right??"
"Totally, cause I brought the idea obviously" Sophie said pulling Amy up.
"Now let's go bring your idea to life, sorry our idea" Sophie corrected as they both laughed.
As they stepped back into the street, snow glittered gold beneath the streetlights.
Amy tucked her hair into her scarf, heart suddenly lighter than it had been in days.
Now she'd see Penny and the other kids. She'd hand out little plastic cups of hot cocoa and watch tiny hands grab them, watch faces light up.
And for now, that was everything.