Page 112 of Three Pucks and a Baby

“Bennett,” he replied.

“It’s so nice meeting you.” Tilting her head, she asked, “How long have you and Vivian been seeing each other.”

“Mom,” I protested.

Throwing up her hands, Mom said, “What’s wrong with asking that?”

Bennett laughed. “Since the end of September,” he replied diplomatically since that was the first time I saw him.

We were interrupted then by my brother, Walker, sweeping through the back door into the kitchen. “Merry Christmas,” he boomed with a grin that was much like my father’s.

My nephews and niece came barreling in behind him with his wife, Josie, on their heels. “Auntie Viv!” they cried before racing over to me.

As three-year-old Lucas jumped into my arms, he demanded, “Did you get us lots of presents?”

Seven-year-old Landen replied, “Lucas, don’t be rude.”

“I was just curious,” he argued.

“It’s okay,” I replied as I sat him down.

Five-year-old Lila said, “I hope you got me some Paw Patrol.”

“Maybe.”

She grinned. “When can we open presents?”

Her mother walked over to us. “You know the rules. Not until after dinner and after you’ve eaten more than a roll.”

The three of them whined before rushing down the hall to see my dad. “Hello, hello,” I said to Josie.

At the sight of Bennett beside me, she said, “And hello, hello to you both.”

After quickly introducing them, Bennett said, “I better get back to your dad since I promised I would talk hockey with him.”

I laughed. “Don’t think he won’t come searching for you.”

With a little wave, he then went down the hall. When I turned back, I found Josie watching Bennett’s retreating form.“Now that is an interesting development.”

“You have no idea,” I mused, as I went to hug her.

After squeezing me tight, Josie wagged her brows. “Don’t go anywhere. I made a jug of your favorite mulled wine recipe.”

Oh shit. Josie and I were notorious for getting tipsy off mulled wine. Usually, it was sometime between dessert and opening presents. How was I going to get out of this one without outing myself?

To try and get Josie off my tail, I snuck away to the bathroom. It wasn’t like I didn’t actually have to go. According to mymotherhood app, this baby might’ve been the size of a kumquat, but it already had my bladder in a vise.

Once I finished in the bathroom, I peeked my head out of the door. When the coast seemed clear, I tried sneaking back to the living room. Just as I started down the hallway, Josie’s voice froze me. “There you are.”

As she came up behind me, I slowly turned around. She thrust the holiday wine goblet at me. “Here you go.”

I stared at the goblet. I had a choice to make. I could go ahead and come clean about why I wouldn’t be drinking, or I could fake it.

I chose to fake it.

Plastering on a smile, I took the goblet from Josie. “Thanks. I’ve been looking forward to this.”

With a grin, she replied, “Please tell me I don’t have to wait until you’re tipsy for you to tell me all about that delicious hunk of man in there.”

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