1. Baubles & Breakups
Page 8 • Dec 19, 2025
“Shit, Whitley. I mean, thanks for asking…but no. Um, I don’t want to marry you.”
thats why you shiuldnt ask in public
Page 9 • Dec 19, 2025
“I didn’t think you’d do it tonight, Whit.”
Page 9 • Dec 19, 2025
“Anthony, you need to explain what’s going on. I…I thought you wanted me to ask you to marry me?”
Page 9 • Dec 19, 2025
“I did,” he began, before dropping his eyes from Whitley’s face to the overly polished floor, unable to meet her gaze. The silence stretched between them, filled only by the distant sound of the party continuing regardless of their presence. “But then…”
“But then, what?” Whitley’s mind buzzed loudly, a thousand thoughts and fears colliding in her head like bumper cars at a carnival.
“Well, then I met someone.”
Page 10 • Dec 19, 2025
The man who only last week confessed how much he wanted to make things permanent between them, his eyes bright with what she’d thought was love and excitement, and that he’d like it if Whitley was the one to propose because it would be “so romantic and modern.” That man was now standing in front of her, fidgeting with his bow tie, telling her he’d met someone else.
Page 10 • Dec 19, 2025
“Maybe…I don’t know…we could try an open relationship for a while?”
Page 11 • Dec 19, 2025
“Whit, come on. Look, I know it’s a lot to process and I’m so sorry I didn’t say something before you—”
“Got down on one knee and proposed publicly. Like you’d always dreamed.”
Page 12 • Dec 19, 2025
She had responsibilities and an image to uphold—expectations that had been drilled into her since childhood. Not that her parents would expect it—they’d probably be shocked to see her return to the party after such a public humiliation—but Whitley wouldn’t let them down. She couldn’t.
fuck exectastins
Page 12 • Dec 19, 2025
“Would…would you have a word with your dad? You know, smooth things over?”
Insanely, she automatically nodded, the people-pleasing response so ingrained it happened without conscious thought.
3. The First Noel in D Major & Festive Fury
Page 28 • Dec 19, 2025
in America no less, where anything seemed possible if you worked hard enough.
bullshit
8. Reunions & Revelations
Page 65 • Dec 19, 2025
. Well, that didn’t make Layla feel particularly great, but then again, seeing a beautiful woman with a man always left her feeling vaguely disappointed, even when she had no claim or expectation of anything different. Such was the life of a lesbian in a predominantly straight world.
Page 67 • Dec 19, 2025
“Regular meals and safe housing do wonders for a person’s entire outlook on life,”
11. Silk Sheets & Morning Confessions
Page 90 • Dec 20, 2025
Why were lesbians cursed with constantly catching feelings for straight women? Maybe it was the universe’s way of balancing out the fact that women were just so inherently awesome. That’s what Layla reasoned, anyway, though it didn’t make the situation any less frustrating.
Page 96 • Dec 20, 2025
“Fine, I’ll agree to your terms, but only if you say you’ll attend the family party with me as my date.”
12. Collaborations & Ringlets
Page 98 • Dec 20, 2025
A platonic date with a gorgeous straight woman. Remember that, you disaster lesbian!
Page 101 • Dec 20, 2025
The King
still gettingused to it being a king
13. Farewells & Queer Panic
Page 106 • Dec 20, 2025
“the Layla situation”
14. Toaster Ovens & London Plans
Page 115 • Dec 20, 2025
“Is she the first woman you’ve ever felt an attraction to?”
“Yes, absolutely the first. What does that mean about me?”
“You owe Layla a toaster oven,”
16. Trifle & Club Confessions
Page 130 • Dec 20, 2025
we could afford to buy the fancy ramen with the weird flavors. Wouldn’t that be nice!”
18. Top Hats & Oven Gloves
Page 147 • Dec 20, 2025
“Tonight is about much more than just a spectacular show celebrating the upcoming festive season, even though it was fucking epic!” The crowd laughed, appreciating her unfiltered commentary. “Tonight is fundamentally about raising money for the DuPont Foundation, which works tirelessly to help battered women and children find safety, hope, and new beginnings. So, with that critically important mission in mind, let’s not pretend that you’re all not totally loaded and perfectly capable of digging deep into those designer pockets.”
Page 148 • Dec 20, 2025
“Good evening, everyone. I have to apologize—I don’t have any prepared remarks because I literally just flew in from London a few hours ago.”
“Wing it!” Layla called out
28. Broken Legs & Family Meetings
Page 231 • Dec 20, 2025
”
The hospital room was small and sterile, filled with that distinctive antiseptic smell that made Layla automatically scrunch up her nose in distaste.
for me is comfort and savtey
Page 232 • Dec 20, 2025
“She’s a bloody gorgeous one, kiddo. Very nicely done indeed.”
“Thanks, Mum.”
30. Graffiti & Mince Pie Declarations
Page 242 • Dec 20, 2025
Whitley had never missed Christmas
last year?
Page 244 • Dec 20, 2025
“Huh. Well, looks like the inquisition’s off, Bev,” Roger commented dryly.
Whitley pulled away from Layla, smiling. Layla rested her forehead against Whitley’s and took a deep, centering breath.
“I’d say so, Rog,” Beverly replied. “Right, mince pies all around. Welcome to the family, Whit!”
33. Sketches & Oral Appreciation
Page 269 • Dec 20, 2025
Beverly eyed them both with a knowing twinkle in her eye. “Well, now that you’ve finished thanking Whitley properly, I wouldn’t mind a trip to Marks & Spencer.”
Page 269 • Dec 20, 2025
Whitley blushed furiously while Layla smirked with obvious pride. “I am very good at showing my appreciation.”
“Layla!” Whitley spluttered in embarrassment.
Beverly and Layla tittered with shared amusement.
“You take after me, Button,” Beverly retorted with a wicked grin.
36. Morning Delights & Unexpected Calls
Page 292 • Dec 20, 2025
“Guilty as charged. We discovered we have quite a lot in common, including a shared appreciation for fine Champagne and embarrassing stories about our children, isn’t that right, Bev?”