Page 74 of Mistletoe Misses
I try again, digging deeper. “I’m glad I’m here?” It comes out like a question, and I hope it’s the right answer because it’s the truth.
With a slap on the counter, she reaches across to frame my face with her hands. “Best Christmas present you could ever give me.”
She continues to take me in, and after a while, Dad pulls out a stool and sits with a dramatic sigh. “I guess no one cares about all my hard work.”
Mom’s body doesn’t move, but her eyes scrunch closed, tears forming at the corners as her lips roll together. The sight of her face turning red while she holds back a laugh, brings one out of me too. Except I turn it loose.Sorry, Dad.
Before I know it, Mom joins me and braces herself against the counter, gulping for air between spurts.
“What’s so funny?” Kendall asks, jogging back into the kitchen.
“Me, apparently,” Dad says, his mustache twitching with a chuckle.
Kendall glances between Mom and me and back again before landing on Dad. “You’ve never beenthatfunny. What happened?”
Chapter 17
Maddox
Thankfully, with the pie baking contest coming up later this week, Nana already had plans for a practice round and sleepover with Sadie and the twins, giving Carmen free reign to experience the pub crawl. I’m picking her up, and we’re meeting my family, Jamie, Kaitlyn, and her date downtown. There’s no way we won’t make a scene at each place we bombard simply by the sheer number of us—not to mention the antics that will ensue given the attendees.
I can’t wait.
Cooper:Check in.
Aaron:10-4
Cooper:Wrong answer.
Aaron:House.
Cooper:Where in the house? I don’t see you.
Aaron:Basement.
Me:Why are you in my room?
Aaron:You don’t want to know.
Kendall:Present.
Cooper:Wrong. How many times do we have to do this before you all just report correctly?
Aaron:Every time.
Me:At the store picking up Carmen.
Cooper:See. It’s not hard.
Aaron:That’s what she said.
Kendall:Not happily.
Me:How would you know?!
Kendall:[angel smiley face emoji]
Cooper:Hurry up. Dad’s getting impatient.
