Page 96 of Infatuated as They Come
“It hasn’t been that long, Daddy.” I laughed. “I missed you too.”
“Well, come inside. It’s getting cold out here.”
“Say hello to him,” I said so lowly only he could hear. “And be nice, or we’ll find a hotel to stay in and I’ll bring Mom with me and you’ll spend Christmas all alone.”
Pulling back, I searched his face. I could tell what he was thinking: that he would have been much, much happier if it was just me who had showed up at the door, but I knew my threat was ringing in his ears. My eyes flickered over to my mom and Sawyer. She was giving one of his cheeks a pinch, her other hand patting down his hair.
“Sawyer, my dad has something he wants to say to you,” I said.
Mom’s head snapped over to our direction. “And what’s that, Joe? What do you want to say?”
My dad tensed up next to me, but slowly, he closed the gap between himself and Sawyer. “Holly’s got you carrying all those bags, huh?” he said. “Let me help. I don’t know why you brought so much stuff, Holly, you’ve still got a whole heap of clothes here.”
“You two come in and rest,” Mom said. “What a long drive. You’re probably both so tired. I’ll get you both something to eat. Joe, come help.”
And I knew “come help” really meant “leave those two alone” as Momguided us into the living room, warm air hitting me at the same time as the smell of freshly baked cookies did. The room was expertly decorated the same way my Mom did every year. There were fresh garlands that ran across the fireplace mantel and all the windows. The fireplace was on and there was a red and green wreath that hung above it. And in the corner stood the tree, all tall and looming, the top crowned with a sparkling gold star and the base swamped with presents galore.
“Swanky,” I heard Sawyer say behind me.
I spun around to face him. “It’s… a lot. My mom likes to go all out for Christmas.”
“Yeah, I can tell.”
“I really hope this isn’t weird. Staying here, I mean. I meant it when I said that I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”
“I never feel uncomfortable at your place.”
Laughing softly, I rested my hands against his chest and stared up at him. “I know celebrating Christmas and your birthday and stuff like that isn’t something you’re used to, but you’re allowed to have special days too. You deserve to relax and sit under the tree and open presents and drink hot chocolate while watchingThe Muppet Christmas Carol.”
He laughed, fingers gently brushing at my hair. “The what?”
“You’ve never seen it?”
“When I was a kid. It’s been a while.”
“It’s kind of tradition for me and my family to watch it. We do it every year. It’s silly, I guess. I don’t know. But it’d be so lovely if you were part of it.”
Leaning down, he gave me a kiss to the cheek. “You’re too sweet,” he murmured against my skin. “I wanna do all that stuff with you.”
“So, you’ll watchThe Muppet Christmas Carolwith me? It’s one of Mom’s favorite movies. She just really loves Gonzo. She likes the little outfit he wears. She’ll tell you all about that…”
“I can’t wait. Maybe it’ll be our new tradition too. Or maybe we can find a new one together?”
I nodded at him, a smile spreading across my face. “I’d really love that.”
“Hot chocolate is ready!” Mom was suddenly in the room with a tray in hand. Despite how fast she moved, she still managed to not spill a single drop as she set the tray down on the coffee table. “Okay, let’s sit. You’ve had her all to yourself for the last few months, Sawyer, but now it’s time for me to steal her away from you. Come sit down. The both of you.”
Mom was her usually handsy self as she pushed Sawyer into his seat, carefully handing him his hot chocolate. Then she did the same with me, the rich smell hitting me instantly as I glanced down at the marshmallow stuffed drink.
“Mm, smells so good,” I said as she grabbed her own mug. “So, what have I missed while I’ve been gone?”
“Oh, nothing,” she said. “It’s so boring without you here. I have no one to coddle now.”
“You should get a dog.”
“You know your father hates dogs.”
“Where is he?” I peered over my shoulder, but he was nowhere to be seen.
