Page 8 of Finally Moore

“Hello, Mom,” I say with about as much enthusiasm as being told I need a root canal. Correction: thatwouldbe more fun than having Mommy Dearest invade my sanctuary.

“Is that any way to greet your mother? The one you haven’t bothered to come visit for two years.”

I plaster on my best customer service smile. “Hi, Mom, welcome to my inn.”

She approaches the desk and pinches my cheek. “That’s more like it.” Then she takes a step back and studies my appearance. “You look good.”

In less than two seconds, her eyes dart to my waistline, forcing my arms to wrap around my midsection in an attempt to shield myself from her inspection. Her gaze burns a hole through the layers of clothing as she’s able to size me up with a single glance. It’s just like high school all over again.

“At least it isn’t anything a good fasting can’t fix. Have you tried any of those videos I’ve sent you? Feel this.” Mom turns to show me her butt. “Wall Pilates. An absolute game changer. You can’t buy an ass as tight as this.”

“I’m so happy you’re here,” I say through clenched teeth, praying she’s blind to how much her words hurt me. Part of me knows she doesn’t mean it and that, as stupid as it sounds, her nitpicking does come from a place of love.

My mother lowers her enormous designer sunglasses and finally takes a real look around. “Wow, it’s like I never left.”

For once, I can’t tell if that was meant to be an insult or a compliment. My mother never talked much about living here, only mentioned that it was dreadful and she’d never return. A decision I believe she regrets but won’t admit.

“I’ve been working on improving the place, but my goal has been to maintain the integrity of its rustic charm.” I turn to the cabinet and grab her keys. “Here. I’ll show you to your room, then I can give you a tour and go over some of the improvements I’ve made.”

“About that… There’s been a slight change of—”

She doesn’t get to finish her warning before a raven-haired ball of energy rushes through the front door. “Auntie Rea-Rea!”

I push past my mother and run over to the only person I regret leaving behind when I moved. “Oh my god.” I kneel down and wrap my arms around the young girl. “Brittany, you’ve gotten so big. I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you too. You didn’t visit like you promised.” My niece’s reminder is like a sharp stab to the chest.

“I know, honey, but I’ve been very busy,” I tell her. Which is true. Though it doesn’t make it right.

“Mommy said to wait in the car, so Nana could talk to you. But I just couldn’t.”

Her statement pours a bucket of ice water over what should be a joyous reunion. Of course, my mother wouldn’t have brought Brittany here on her own.Grandmais always ready to hand the kid back over within an hour. Basically, as soon as Brittany needs food, water, or any actual care…

And with the simple chime of a bell, this holiday season goes from bad, to awesome, to the absolute worst in a blink of an eye.

“Long time no see, sissy,” Trish sings the moment she steps through the door. Someone who, if I went the rest of my life without seeing, it wouldn’t bother me the least bit. So having her here in general sucks. But the shittiest part of this surprise drop-in isn’t my stepsister. No, it’s the man holding her hand… and the giant rock that’s glistening from where it’s perched on her ring finger.

“Hey, Rhea,” Kasey greets me with the name I left behind two years ago, followed by that million-dollar smile, as though nothing ever happened between us.

Like an idiot, I pat down my hair, attempting to smooth whatever flyaways I can while praying that this isn’t the blouse with the faded coffee stain down the front. I should get rid of it, but I refuse to buy new clothes until I lose the last fifteen pounds I’ve been struggling to shed.

My mother wasn’t wrong with her assessment. Moving to Minnesota did a number on my waistline. The food here is delicious and—unlike Cali where everything is gluten-free—people here love their carbs. Let’s just say it only took one winter to lose my beach body, and I’ve been trying to get it back ever since. I probably would’ve by now if I could stop going to the coffee shop five mornings a week to get the most sinfully delicious dark-chocolate muffins my tongue has ever had the pleasure of tasting. It has these gooey chunks of chocolate; then it’s drizzled with another layer of chocolate. It’s like experiencing a mini-orgasm every time I bite into one.

I’ll never admit it to Tilly, because I do value our friendship. But the truth is, I only really started hanging around because of her brother. Well, his amazing cooking. Not that Scott isn’t a snack on his own. But seriously, the treats he makes for our book club rival any award-winning restaurants I’ve frequented on the West Coast. It might have started with me being a whore for carbs, but it didn’t take long for us to become amazing friends. I’d call Matilda Moore mybestfriend, but I have no intention of trying to get between her and Letty.

Taking a deep breath, I get out of my own head and try to refocus my attention on the matter at hand.If I survive, I’ll reward myself with two muffins today.I have a little bit of time before the obligatory new year diet I’m so going to flake on starts.

Kasey raises his Tom Fords as he studies me with his icy-blue gaze—the one that used to make my heart melt. Who am I kidding? Based on the way every fiber of my being is tingling, he still does.

“You look great.” Trisha elbows him, and he quickly corrects himself. “I mean, the place does. The pictures you’ve posted are amazing. But seeing it in person, really, it’s incredible.”

“Thank you.” I ignore those little fuzzy butterflies that take flight in my stomach. It doesn’t matter what he says or does, Kasey and I are over. Done. He made his choice… and, well, it cemented mine.

Steeling my wavering resolve, I pray for a miracle to save me, help me get through what is stacking up to be the worst Christmas ever. Then, as the front door chimes again and a familiar face comes into view, it seems like a higher being must be listening because my saving grace marches in like the gallant knight he is. I smile as an idea starts to form, and quickly rush over to greet him.

“Perfect timing.” It’s as if thinking about his muffins somehow manifested the man himself. I wrap my arms around Scott’s neck and press a kiss to his scratchy cheek. “It looks like we have a few more guests than we originally planned.”

Mom immediately perks up, with her signature sultry Valentine smirk on display and her manicured cougar claws out. “Who’s this delicious-looking tall drink of water?”

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