“Mother, you apologize to Dora.” Dad snuck by us and is now standing in front of Grandmother. His face is flushed and as he puts an arm around my mom.
“I just meant that we would have never thought of—”
“I know what you meant, and I don’t like it. So apologize right now.” His tone is stern and Grandmother’s eyes widen as she realizes her mistake.
“Dora, sweetheart, you know what I meant. I have only your best interests at heart. I’m sorry if what I said was inappropriate.” She sniffles at the end, and I swear I see tears glistening in her eyes.
“You’re forgiven, Grandmother.” I lean down, side hug her and place a kiss on her cheek. Deep down, I know she means well.
“Turducken’s done!” Grandma says, opening the oven and pulling out the roasting dish.
“Dora, you go out and entertain Jeff and Drew. We’ll handle this.” My mom shoos me out of the kitchen before I can say another word.
The door shuts behind me, and I spy Drew standing in the foyer with a huge grin on his face.
“Tell me you didn’t hear all that.”
“I’m afraid I did. Jeff got a phone call, so I stepped out to give him some privacy. I couldn’t help but hear how sinful you are. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me before we let you move in with us.”
He laughs and I join in. I move closer and he startles me when he takes hold of my arm and pulls me toward him. My heart misses a beat, and then it starts racing, thumping so loudly he must hear it. With his other hand, he points up to the ceiling and I see not one, but several pieces of mistletoe hanging above us.
“I’m afraid I’m going to have to kiss you. Those are the rules.” I’m almost drooling at the sexy look he’s giving me. It’s also making my palms sweat.
“Would that be considered sinful? I’m already branded, so what the heck?” I giggle as I see his eyes widen at my statement, and I pull down his head and plant a loud kiss on his cheek. He pulls back and smiles wickedly.
“You call that a sinful kiss? Let me show you sin.” He grasps my arms, holding them firmly while pulling me close.
“Oh my.” A voice sounds behind me just as his lips are planted on mine. We break apart quickly and I turn to see both matriarchs standing there, one with a grin plastered on her face and the other one a deep frown.
“I see you two have found the mistletoe. I made your granddad put that up when we got here this morning. So glad you two are making good use of it,” Grandma says, dragging my grandmother into the dining room behind her.
The doorbell rings. I move to the door and shiver as a blast of cold air greets me when I open it. Julie and Kevin are standing on the step, their hands full of presents.
“Hey, Dora, are we late?” Julie asks, pushing past me, dumping her presents into my arms. Kevin follows, kissing my cheek, and Taylor suddenly appears, grabbing the presents from me before leading Kevin into the living room toward the highly festive Christmas tree.
“I’m starved, and it looks like people are being seated. Hurry up, Kevin.” Julie fails to wait for him and makes a beeline to the dining room. “Holy shit, it smells delish in here.”
Drew is still standing under the mistletoe, looking bemused at the tornado that has just blown through the house. He raises one eyebrow at me and looks up at the mistletoe. “Mmm, I guess we better follow them,” I say.
What a geek I am, and a chicken too. Drew sighs as I walk past him. I wonder what his kiss would have tasted like. Just once I’d like a kiss from a “bad boy.” Blushing, I remember his naked body in art class.
Great. Just what I need … sinful, X-rated thoughts on Christmas Day. I’m going to get a seat in hell for sure.
“Are you okay, Dora? You look a little flushed.” Jeff’s voice brings me back to the present, and I feel myself getting redder as he smiles like he knows what I was just thinking about. I elbow him on my way past him to the table and laugh when I hear his “oof.”
“No, I don’t want any of that mess,” Grandmother sniffs as the plate of turducken is passed to her.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Beatrice. It’s just turkey, duck, and chicken, not arsenic.” Grandma is so eloquent.
“Mrs. Phillips, it’s quite good,” Jeff says from the left side of me.
“I’m a traditionalist—roast beef for me, none of this newfangled food.”
Can she sound any snootier? Drew sends me a quick half-smile from across the table and my stomach jumps. I really have to get control of myself. If I want to take a plunge on the wild side, Drew isn’t my choice. Colin, yes. I mean, maybe.
“Well, I like it,” Julie interjects, stuffing more food into her mouth.
“I’m with Grandmother. It’s weird.” Bridget, the traitor, speaks up and then looks down again when she notices Drew peering over at her.
No female is immune to him. When we go out, it’s not normal, especially when all three of them are together. But Drew is the center, the eye of the storm, so to speak. But damn, he is adorable, smexy, and delicious all in one. And well-endowed too. Okay, so I’m not an expert. I’ve seen only a few in my whole life—four in real life, and, no, I’m not giving names, and some in magazines—but Drew’s most definitely measures up.
“Dora, please pass the potatoes.” My mom’s voice penetrates my musings, and when I look up, Drew is staring at me like I’m the only person in the room. Or maybe I’ve got something on my face.
“Jeff,” I whisper, turning my head to him. “Do I have something on my face?”
“No. Why?” he whispers back.
“Drew is staring at me like I do.”
“I think he wants to take a bite of you, Red.”
“Some help you are. And you have gravy on your chin, by the way.”
Is he right? What would Drew want with me? Why do I care? I think I may need to start seeing a therapist. I beginning to think I talk way too much with myself.
18
“I’m so full,” Dad says while leaned back in his chair, rubbing his stomach.
“I agree. I’ll be hitting up the gym next week for sure … or maybe after New Year’s.” Julie pats her stomach and I realize she’s gained weight. How could I have missed that? She sees me looking at her and winks. Oh, sweet fertile mother, she’s pregnant. I want to say something, but it’s not my place to blab the news.
“Me too. Hey, Julie, why don’t you help me put some of this away?” I raise my hand as Drew and Jeff get up and start grabbing plates from the table. “No, Julie and I will do that. Everyone else go into the living room. It won’t take us long, since there’s not much left.” I grab a few dishes and so does Julie before we move into the kitchen.
“Okay, explain the belly.” I grab Julie and turn her to face me.
“I’m fucking pregnant. Oh shit, I’ve really got to stop cussing. They say the baby can hear everything.” Julie’s eyes are shining with unshed tears, and I pull her in for a hug.
“I don’t think the baby hears yet, so you’re safe. When did you find out? I’m so happy! You and Kevin are happy, right? How could you not be? A baby. How far along are you? How many others know?” Julie pulls back from me as I continue to ramble and wipes the tears trickling down her face.
“I’m about two months in. I go to the doctor on January fifth. We’re so happy, Dora. At first, I thought Kevin wouldn’t be. We hadn’t really talked about kids, but he’s so excited. We told our parents last night, and they’re beyond happy for us. At first I thought I had the stomach flu, like everyone in my office, but after I threw up, I felt good and the sick feeling didn’t linger. I still can’t believe it.” Julie’s face glows with glee.
“Are you going to tell my family today?”
“Hell yeah we are, but I wanted you to know first. I don’t know the first thing about being a mother. What if I’m a terrible at it?” The tears return and begin to travel slowly down her cheeks.