Page 32 of Izzy and Her Off-Limits Love

There’s laughter as Benedict sprints up the stairs and grabs Davy under one arm just before he does exactly what Sadie said not to do. When he reaches the bottom, Danny darts out to unflap his pajamas.

And so begins a typical family dinner.

I wink at Izzy, who moved her place card so we’re no longer sitting side by side. Part one of our plan. Now that I’m paying attention, the subtle family meddling is so obvious. Sadie and Merritt exchange a glance when they see Izzy between Hunter and Grandpa Ned instead of next to me. Mandy crawls in my lap before we dig into the turkey and all the sides that have become our family Christmas Eve tradition.

Though it’s practically impossible to eat with an almost six-year-old balanced on my knees, I don’t mind. Every time I come home, it’s obvious how quickly all the kids are growing up. Ezra, now ten, is too old for hugs (his words) and Genny, Eloise and Jake’s oldest, already seems like a mini adult. I think she’s almost sixteen now? Going on thirty, it looks like, as she talks quietly with Merritt down the table.

Benedict taps on his glass with a knife, and though it takes a minute, the table quiets down to a duller roar. “It’s Christmas Eve!” he says, and everyone cheers.

Davy and Danny bang their fists on the table in the hall, which leads to a few water glasses spilling. It takes another few minutes to get everyone quiet again, and I catch sight of Ukulele, Hunter’s newest rescue raccoon, darting under the dining room table. Dogs aren’t allowed in for Christmas dinner and were all on the front porch when we arrived, but a raccoon, apparently, is just fine.

Never dull.

“Now that Naomi and Camden got smart enough to move out of Savannah and onto Oakley, most of us are together all the time. But I’d love to hear updates from some of the people we don’t see as often,” he says, and Izzy and I exchange a quick glance. “I’m completely unsurprised when Ben’s gaze falls to me. “How about you, Liam? You’ve been practically a stranger this year. Hopefully, now that you’re in Savannah permanently, we’ll see more of you. Catch us up on anything new and exciting.”He looks across the table at Izzy. “And then you, Izzy, our other resident Savannahian.”

This is where I’m sure the family hoped to hear an update about Izzy and me, and I swear, I can feel them all holding their breaths. I pass Mandy to Jake, who’s seated to my left, and stand.

“As you may know, I started my own business this year.” I pause and give a little bow as there’s more cheering around the room. Though I don’t let my gaze linger on her, I don’t miss Izzy’s proud grin. “And Ben’s right about the move. I’m happy to be back in the South again.” I pause and clear my throat. “On a more personal note”—I swear I hear a quiet gasp from someone and then an oomph as whoever it was is elbowed by someone else—“you all might remember I brought Natasha home with me last Christmas.”

“I didn’t like her,” Mandy says. I think she meant to whisper, but the room is quiet enough that almost everyone hears, and there’s a collective chuckle.

“Well, we broke up and …” I trail off and scan the room, seeing every single adult looking ridiculously hopeful. “I’ve got a new girlfriend.”

I sit down, and there’s an awkward silence.

“Where is she?” Mandy says.

“She’s celebrating the holidays with her family,” I tell Mandy.

Sadie clears her throat. “Wait. So, you have a new girlfriend, and she’s?—”

“With her family.” I nod. Izzy and I came up with a number of ideas for family revenge, but it’s hard when you want it to be funny, not mean, and you also don’t want to lie. But if we’re incredibly careful with our words, we can pull this off.

It’s Izzy’s turn, and she stands up. I don’t miss the way all the adults exchange looks.

“Hey, all! I didn’t do anything as amazing as Liam this year—congrats on his successful software! I got to see it firsthand this week because he was working with my company, which is a big deal.”

She starts clapping, which wasn’t part of our plan, and makes my chest feel warm as the entire family joins in. I can still tell there’s confusion and some disappointment. I know if they were using the apps to track us, they’re aware we spent the whole weekend and most of the week together, so I’m sure this is throwing them for a loop.

They weresoooosure their plan would work.

And, I mean, they were right. But we would have gotten there on our own. Eventually.

Okay, maybe I’m a little glad for the meddling. But also happy to give a little bit back to them.

“And I’ve got my own personal news,” Izzy says, and I see Merritt looking confused. Probably because Izzy tells her everything. Usually.

A flash of hurt crosses her face, and when she glances at me, I wink. The point of this isn’t to upset anyone but to give them a taste of their own medicine. I’m guessing that out of everyone, Hunter and Merritt had the least to do with this.

She visibly relaxes, and I know I made the right call.

“I’ve got a new boyfriend,” Izzy says.

The silence that follows is even more awkward than when I spoke, and Izzy carries on quickly. “I actually had to spend the weekend with Liam because of some ridiculous fumigation issue in my apartment, and it was great because now we’ve gotten to know each other’s significant others. You approve, right Liam?”

“Absolutely I do. Great guy.”

Merritt snorts and covers it by fake coughing.

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