Page 114 of The Holiday Grump
His dad gave him a measured look. “I’m not a big drinker, but I wouldn’t mind a glass of something stiff right now.”
“Can I have some?” Kailee asked.
I ignored her, nodding at her grandfather. “I think wehave gin. If we move quickly, you’ll have time to finish a glass before my parents arrive and my dad starts talking to you about fire safety in old buildings.” I flashed them both an apologetic smile.
Hans looked at the ceiling. “Well, I’ve told Fredrik many times, these colonial buildings don’t have enough fire-resistant barriers. It’s all good and well to fit out a new kitchen or bathrooms, but if you don’t update the wiring…” He lifted an eyebrow at his son, who rolled his eyes at me.
Maybe he’d get along fine with my dad.
“What is your mom like?” Stella asked me as I helped her and Felicity carry the food into the kitchen.
“According to my sister, she is currently into something called ‘death cleaning.’”
“Oh!” Stella’s eyes widened. “Is she in ill health?”
I wanted to slap myself. Choose happy, safe subjects! How many times had I heard that in the Alford house?
“No! She’s very well,” I replied. “It’s a figure of speech.”
“Oh, I know that! It’s like a Swedish thing,” Felicity said, turning on the oven. “Where’s your friend?”
I looked around for Grace and found her standing quietly by the Christmas tree. We’d all walked past her without even noticing. I was the worst hostess ever.
My face burning, I fetched my friend, and we joined them at the kitchen island. Felicity and Stella didn’t seem bothered by my patchy social skills, so I tried to relax, focusing on the party preparations.
By the time my family rang the doorbell, the table was set, and the smell of oyster stew, turkey, and mashed potatoes wafted in the air, mixing with gingerbread and cinnamon.
I rushed to the door, suddenly shaking from head to toe. I’d deceived my parents for weeks. I’d humiliated them, running off and leaving them to deal with the aftermath. The word “sorry” hovered on my lips, but I didn’t have time to utter it before Mom wrapped me into the tightest hug of my life, then Dad and Holly piled on. I could barely breathe, but the tears flowed regardless.
As we separated, I saw tears in their eyes. The cold air blasted us through the open doorway, so I led them inside and closed the door.
Mom sniffed, untying her pink scarf. “It’s so good to see you! That call from Fredrik was the best thing that’s happened all year. I’m so relieved you’re on dry land and… happy?”
I nodded, my throat too clogged for words.
“I told them about Spencer’s visit,” Holly said, unbuttoning her heavy parka to reveal a pair of overalls. She brushed her short hair off her face, smiling.
She knew how to dress for herself, not the male gaze. I’d been taking inspiration from her ever since I’d left Spencer.
“Well, you look great,” Mom concluded, taking in my emerald-green knit dress and candy cane–patterned stockings.
It was my only dress, showing off more cleavage than anything else I owned, and I was wearing it entirely for Fredrik.
“I thought that man had half a spine,” Dad grumbled. “If a woman leaves you at the altar, it doesn’t mean she’s lost her marbles! Maybe she doesn’t want to marry you. The Alfords have too much money. It’s messed with their heads.”
“We thought he handled it poorly,” Mom said diplomatically. “It tells us a lot about his character.”
Relief poured through me. “I’m sorry I let it go that far. I should have called it off much earlier. I should have never agreed to marry him!”
Mom handed me a tissue, then took over another task that was probably mine—hanging their coats on the rack. “It’s okay. You’re a bit of a people pleaser, like me. It’s hard for us to say no.”
I shook my head. “A people pleaser with no filter! I kept embarrassing them at fancy events. I never fit into that world.”
Dad nudged Mom. “Are you saying you married me because it’s hard for you to say ‘no’?”
Mom chuckled. “You take after your father. Only filter he has is the one in his car.”
“What about the dryer, vacuum cleaner, range hood…”
