Page 17 of Real Tree / Fake Boyfriend

Julien shook his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

Hailey seemed to realize Julien was there, and she hurried over to him. “I’m a hugger,” she warned before immediately throwing her arms around Julien’s neck. “It is so good to meet you. Seriously!” She moved her hands to grasp Julien’s as she stared at him. “Oh, my god, and you aresocute. Tyler, you didn’t say he was this cute.”

Tyler mumbled behind him, “Sorry. Yeah. He’s cute.”

Julien had never been called cute before. He didn’t know how to react. He looked at Hailey’s hand holding his.

Hailey’s position seemed intentional, with her knuckles on full display. The large diamond on her finger sparkled and captured all the attention.

“Congratulations,” he said and gestured to it. He nodded to Walter. “Nice job,” he added sincerely, becauseChrist, that’s a rock I wish I could afford.

The vague thought of how much the ring might be worth crossed his mind. He could casually slip it off Hailey’s finger and be on his way.

Hailey let go of Julien’s hands and went to her partner. “I know. He’s the best.” She gave Walter such a soft look Julien’s stomach hurt.

Walter smiled and leaned in to kiss the woman’s temple.

Julien looked away and stepped to Tyler, who grimaced.

“All good?” Julien assumed he had done something wrong. Taking the lead from the couple before them, Julien put his arm around Tyler.

Ty fit perfectly under his arm, and Julien wondered if they looked as good as Haileyand Walter.

“Yeah, it’s fine,” Tyler told him. He tilted his face to Julien and smiled softer. “It’s going well.”

Before Julien could ask why Tyler was making a face, the door opened, and a little girl ran into the house. “Uncle Tyler!” she called, rushing over and grabbing Tyler’s knees.

She had blonde hair tied up in two fluffy ponytails and tiny glasses on her face. She couldn’t have been more than five. She wore a red skirt with a plaid sweater.

A little boy followed her quickly. He took her hand very seriously. He had on the same plaid sweater and red pants. He looked up at Julien warily, stranger danger written all over his tiny features.

Tyler bent to hug them both. “You guys got big!” he exclaimed.

“You saw us at Thanksgiving,” the older boy said. “We haven’t even grown that much on our charts.” He put his free hand on his hip.

Another couple walked in. Both wore matching clothing to the children.

“You must be Julien,” the woman said. Julien assumed this was Cecelia, Tyler’s older sister. She was the spitting image of their mother but with their father’s brown eyes. She looked Julien over with such a stern and appraising look that he couldn’t tell if she was satisfied.

When Julien stuck his hand out and introduced himself, Cece looked at it before her husband, Brad, stepped forward. His sandy hair was sleek, left a little longer at the top and tight at the sides. Instead of wearing a sweater to match his children and wife, he wore a traditional red polo shirt. Somehow, it made him look like an overgrown frat boy who did dubious things to his friends in college.

He took Julien’s hand in a grip that was too firm as if he were trying to prove something.

“Yeah, hey.” Julien nodded to them both.

“I’m Brad, this is my wife, Cece,” Brad introduced. He then gestured to the kids. “These are our children, Owen and Kelsey.”

“Nice to meet you,” Julien said, unsurehe meant it.

With introductions sorted, Brad rushed off from the group of siblings to greet his in-laws with authority.

“It was such a surprise to know you were coming to Christmas.” Cece smiled at Julien in a way that didn’t reach her eyes. “Tyler didn’t even tell us about you. At all.”

“Give it a rest, Cee,” Hailey giggled. “Come on, I’m going to need your help.” She turned from Cece to the children. “You guys, too, these cookies will not bake themselves. We have to get started now because I have to make at least another three dozen, plus extras for us,” Hailey jabbered on, taking both tiny hands to lead them into the kitchen.

Tyler followed unprompted, and Julien stood back, unsure if he was expected to help. The sudden influx of family made the large house feel small.

Mr. Ashford and Brad bustled into the kitchen, discussing the local housing market. At the same time, Cece pulled out bowls and ingredients from the cupboards. Tyler brought chairs to the island so the kids could stand on them while Hailey took out a huge list and set it down.

---