Page 82 of Riverside Reverie

He understood completely where I was coming from, and although he hoped that Brinley and I would one day be able to resolve our issues, he knew a lot of that rested on her.

I had mixed feelings about Brinley’s news. I knew I should feel excited to become an aunt, and I was really hoping that the baby changed my sister for the better, but I couldn’t help but worry about how Brinley would handle the impending stresses of becoming a mother.

I was nowhere near emotionally ready for that venture, and I worried that my parents would end up having to raise the baby. But, as Jasmine constantly reminded me: not my monkey, not my circus.

Christmas was another source of tension. My dad had asked me several times if I’d be coming home for the holidays, and while I’d gone back and forth on the matter a thousand times, I’d ultimately decided to stay in Sudbury.

Partly to protect my own mental health, and partly because Theo’s family had extended an invitation for me to join them for their Christmas dinner. I’d met his parents a couple of times, but it would be the first time I’d be meeting his sister, Olivia. She’d flown out Christmas Eve and was staying until the new year.

Dad seemed to understand my reasoning, but my mom was hurt about my choice since I’d never missed Christmas with my family before. I compromised by telling her that Theo and I would make it out in the new year.

I wasn’t exactly looking forward to it, but I did want my parents to meet Theo, and I couldn’t avoid Brinley forever—especially not with my mom putting pressure on me to help her with the baby shower she was planning for April.

Theo told me we’d rent a hotel room so that I wouldn’t have to be under the same roof, and we could make a weekend trip out of it.

“You ready?” Theo asked, leaning against the doorframe of the bathroom where I was curling the last bit of my hair.

“Almost!” I replied. My makeup was done, and I was dressed in an emerald green velvet dress that hugged my curves. Black stockings and black floral mesh block boots completed the look.

“Woah, you look incredible, “ he remarked, his voice taking on a reverent cadence as he stepped toward me and put his hand on my hip, gently squeezing it.

“Thank you,” I said, putting the curling iron down and making sure it was turned off before giving myself a final examination in the mirror. I’d styled my hair in a flirty ponytail with a few strategically placed pieces framing my face. I’d curled it so that it felt a little more elegant. “I don’t know why I’m so nervous.”

“You don’t need to be. My parents already love you and my sister’s going to, too.” Theo shifted so that he was standing behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, glancing at our reflection in the mirror with a devious grin. “But hey, we could always skip the dinner and get lost in each other’s bodies. You’ll hear no complaints from me.” His words made my core clench with desire, but I shook my head, smiling.

“We can do that when we get back,” I assured him. “We have to go, we’re already late.”

“Fine,” Theo sighed dramatically, like it was the last thing he wanted to do. But his smile told me he was looking forward to it.

I grabbed my clutch and made sure my phone was in it before grabbing the tray of baked feta bites I’d prepared in advance. I hadn’t wanted to show up empty-handed, but Theo had insisted his mother would cover the traditional dishes, so I settled on my favourite appetizer, courtesy of Maria.

While she hadn’t taught me this exact recipe, she’d made this appetizer several times for my family back home, and I loved it. It was always a hit at dinners and parties. I’d found a recipe online and hoped it came close to Maria’s.

Theo took the tray with one hand and helped me into my jacket with his other before we stepped outside. I made sure to lock up, since Talia had gone to Eliza’s for dinner, and Jasmine was at her parents for a few days. I slipped my keys in my clutch and took Theo’s hand, letting him lead me to his car. He’d already cleaned the snow off it and had remote-started it so it would be nice and warm when we climbed in.

I buckled up, then Theo handed me the tray before closing the door and walking around to the driver’s side. He grabbed my hand, pressing a kiss to the back of it before releasing it.

We made our way up the interlocking stone driveway to the stairs leading to the front door. It swung open before we’d even had a chance to knock, revealing a girl who looked like a younger version of Theo’s mom. Dark blonde hair, mossy green eyes, and a wide smile reminiscent of Theo’s greeted us.

“’Bout time you arrived; Mom was about to send out a search party!” she said.

Theo hugged her, then stepped aside to introduce me.

“Olivia, this is Lux. Lux, this is my sister, Olivia,” Theo introduced, guiding me into the house with his hand on the small of my back.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I told her, smiling as Theo closed the door behind us.

“It’s nice to meet you too. Can I ask: what do you see in my nerdy brother? You’re way too hot for him,” Olivia said teasingly.

“I guess he’s hidden his nerd side from me pretty well,” I joked back, smiling at him over my shoulder.

Olivia laughed, taking the tray from me with a crooked grin. “Oh, I like her already. What’s this?”

“Baked feta bites,” I replied.

“Oh my god, she cooks too?” Olivia’s eyes widened. “Yeah, you scored the jackpot, brother. Try not to mess it up.”

Theo chuckled, helping me out of my coat while Olivia darted toward the kitchen with the tray. He palmed my ass, giving it a teasing squeeze before lifting his hand to the small of my back, guiding me forward.

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