Page 49 of Christmas in Paradise

“Thank you. That is huge praise coming from you.” My chest expands, and I know Georgia’s words will be carrying me through the next two and half weeks of putting final plans into place.

“To clever entrepreneurs!” Evie raises her water glass and the rest of us clink ours to hers.

“Oh, hey!” Stella says, brightly, but there’s something a little too shiny about it. “Do any of you know why my brother is trying to find knee britches and clogs and listening toSyvspringmusic?”

“I don’t even know what most of those things are,” Evie says, but Stella’s smile is directed my way.

“It’s the Seven Jumps dance we had to do every year when we were kids for the school Christmas pageant,” Georgia says to Evie and me. “Is he doing that dance for Yulefest or something? I thought only the little kids were doing it.”

I twist a lock of hair around my fingers and stare at it instead of looking at anyone else at the table. “He volunteered to teach it to Charly and convinced the teacher at the elementary school to let Charly perform with the class.” My hair is in a tight coil all the way to the nape of my neck, and my finger is caught in it. “I didn’t know he’d need a costume.”

I unwind my hair and drop my hands to my lap, feeling the weight of six eyes on me.

“My brother did what?” Stella asks.

“He hated doing that dance when we were kids. Everyone did.” Georgia looks ready to laugh.

“I take back all my warnings about Seb,” Evie says, smiling wide. “I didn’t think he could be tamed, but I think you’ve done it.”

“What are you talking about?” My face heats up hotter than the coffee I’m too warm to drink now.

“He offered to spend time with a three-year-old…” Evie looks at me like I should know what she’s trying to tell me. “Hope, Charly is my niece, and I love her, but have you heard me volunteer to do something with her?”

I shake my head, but I think I know what she’s getting at.

“Because I’m scared to be alone with her. I don’t know what to do if she has a meltdown or if I can’t understand what she’s saying.” Her voice grows more animated as she goes on. “I watch how patient you are with her, and I’m blown away by what a good mom you are. I don’t know if I could ever do what you’re doing pretty much by yourself.”

Before I can say anything, Adam appears carrying a tray full of food, even though no one ordered anything. This is what he does. Feeds people what he thinks they need.

But Evie just did the same thing for me with her words. She fed me exactly what my soul needs right now.

“Here you go, ladies,” Adam says, and I’m grateful that everyone’s attention is on him instead of me wiping my eyes. “You get to try out what I’ve got in mind for theJulefrokostmenu.” He sets the tray on a nearby table and takes the first plate from it. “Who wants to try the breaded white fish with remoulade?”

When no one raises their hand, I do. I like fish.

“Good choice, Hope. You’ll love it,” he says, matter-of-factly.

Evie is the one who teases in their relationship. Most days I can’t tell if Adam is mad at something or just perpetually grumpy. But he’s a good guy and doesn’t let Evie get away with burying her feelings anymore.

“Dibs on the meatballs.” Georgia holds out her hands for the next plate before Adam can offer it to anyone.

“I figured. I made them just the way you like them.” He’s picked up the next plate by the time he’s finished his sentence. “How about the duck breast?”

“Oh, I’ll take that,” Evie says. “I love your duck.”

“I loveyou.” The corner of Adam’s mouth lifts with the tiniest of smiles when he looks at Evie.

“That leaves the pork tenderloin for you.” He sets the last plate in front of Stella.

“Whatever it is, you know I’ll eat it,” she says, already cutting into the meat. “You know I’m trying all of yours too.” She points her knife at each one of us.

“You can have one bite. That’s all I’m willing to share,” Georgia responds.

I’m happy to share anything with Stella, as long as we don’t have to talk about Seb anymore.

Charly’s supposed to have her first practice with him tonight at his house. I don’t know if he suggested six o’clock because it’s around the time I usually pick her up or if it’s because we’ll be expected to stay for dinner.

I’d be more worried that Seb was turning this into a surprise-this-is-a-date situation if he didn’t live with his mom. Gia will be there, and Stella probably too. And I won’t turn down Gia’s cooking. Her chicken parm is the best I’ve ever had.

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