Page 36 of Heartstrings & Horizons
Nana’s face absolutely lights up at the nickname, and I know I’m not going to hear the end of this so I make a mad dash into the spare bedroom before they can overhear anything else.
“Hey Cowboy, so here’s what’s about to happen. I have about 4 seconds before Nana barges in here to interrogate us if I don’t get my ass back out to pizzelle night. To avoid an uncomfortable confrontation, I’m about to take this phone back out into the dining room and you will not say anything incriminating, got it?”
“Yes, Ma’am!”Why was that hot?
I quickly return to the dining room, and there are now 5 sets of eyes on me.
“Ok family. I’m going to turn this phone around and introduce you to my boyfriend. For the love of all that’s holy, don’t embarrass me.”
My mom is already frowning in my direction but Nana is practically beaming. I turn on the spot while holding out the phone, scanning the dining room table as I point out each person.
“Hey ya’ll! Merry Christmas!” Cade says, his deep timber filling the room.
“Hello Cade. So nice to meet you! You sure are handsome.” Nana says, ever the charmer.
“Thank you, Ma’am. I see now where Paige gets her beauty.”
“Oh you,” she blushes.
“I like that one.” Nono chimes in, I turn the phone to see Cade practically glowing at the approval from my grandfather.
“So you’re the man who’s been distracting my daughter?”
Nana stiffens beside me. She’s no stranger to my mom’s disapproval of me, but she’s never seen her disdain directed towards a stranger like this.
“Uh, yes, ma’am. It’s nice to meet you.”
Mom crosses her arms, not bothering to hide her displeasure. “Paige, we’re busy here. Can’t you talk to your boyfriend later?”
“Mom, it’s Christmas Eve.” My face is flushed with embarrassment, and I have the urge to disappear.
“Paige, maybe I should let you go. I don’t want to cause any problems.”
“Don’t you worry about her, honey. She’s got a stick up her ass,” Nana says.
Nono lets out a roaring laugh as mom yells “MOM” and I yell “NANA” in tandem, and Cade is trying to stifle a smile.
“Fine. But don’t expect me to go along with this farce. That boy is nothing but a distraction.”
My festive mood vanishes as an uncomfortable silence settles over the room. My grandparents exchange worried glances in my periphery, and Luca averts his gaze entirely. Mom is scowling and I can’t bring myself to make any more pizzelles.
“Excuse me for a minute,” I say, walking towards the den to escape the tension, holding the tears at bay. I don’t get far before I hear my grandmother’s hushed voice from behind me.
“Cecilia, that was uncalled for. He seems like a nice boy and he makes your daughter happy. Why can’t you accept that and let her live her life? You’re going to live to regret the way you treat that girl someday.”
“I only want what’s best for her, and tangling herself up with some man while she’s supposed to be getting her degree will cause nothing but trouble. She’s already failing several courses.”
How the hell does she know that?
Part of me wants to go back in there and explain why I’m failing and get all of this out in the open once and for all, but a bigger part of me is a coward. Tears spring to my eyes. I’ve never heard anyone stand up to my mom the way Nana did for me. I continue walking towards the den, Cade’s eyes fixed on mine as I hold the phone up to my face and sit on the couch.
“I’m sorry, Paige. I probably shouldn’t have called.”
“It’s not your fault. She’s always like that.”
I let out a resigned sigh. The trip had been mostly pleasant up until this disaster.
“I miss you.”
