Page 58 of Gross Misconduct

“How did you sleep?” George asked.

“Very well, thank you. I apologize for turning in early, but it was a long day.”

“Don’t worry about that,” George said. “We understand.”

“And Merry Christmas,” I added.

“Merry Christmas to you too,” Susan said. “We like to have a big brunch to hold us over until dinnertime. Gwen will be over with her boyfriend shortly. Then we’ll get the boys up.”

I offered to help Susan, but she told me she was almost done, so I grabbed a coffee instead, and when I eyed the small tray of muffins, George motioned for me to have one. I grabbed what looked to be a bran one and sat down. In an instant, Susan was sitting next to me with her own cup of coffee. She’d tossed something in the oven, which she explained were cinnamon buns. Jeremy’s favorite.

“Have you and Jeremy thought about setting a date?” she asked, her light brown eyes looking at me with anticipation.

“No, not yet. My best friend Tangi, and Jeremy’s best friend Ethan are getting married this summer. We wouldn’t want to steal the thunder from them.”

Jeremy and I had decided to use that excuse to hold his mom off from planning anything concrete.

“Oh right, Ethan. Such a sweet boy. But I don’t see why you can’t get married the same summer. Maybe a late August wedding?”

George dipped the paper and looked at Susan. “Why are you pestering her?”

“I’m just getting some details.” She turned her gaze back to me. “Have you thought about where you’d like to get married?There are some great places here if you were thinking Calgary. I know you mentioned not having much of an attachment to home. If you aren’t busy this afternoon, we could drive by some venues.”

Oh boy. So much for holding her off.

George let out an exasperated sigh. “Susan, please.”

She ignored him. “You probably want something small? There are some great restaurants, or maybe a country club? I could scout those out for you and see what dates are available.”

All this talk with her was a bit depressing. I hated thinking about a wedding that was never going to happen. “Why don’t I talk to Jeremy? We should make these decisions together.”

Susan scoffed. “He won’t care.”

George shot Susan another look. “I think your cinnamon buns are burning.”

Susan rolled her eyes, but laid off for now.

I could barely contain my joy when Jeremy wandered into the kitchen. He wished his mom a merry Christmas and gave her a hug. He did the same with his dad. He gave me a hug too, and kissed me on the cheek. I squeezed his hand, hoping he knew that I didn’t want to be left alone.

The rest of the family began filing in. Gwen came with her boyfriend Kent, and Jamie woke up and called his girlfriend Bree to come over. Jeremy explained that his aunts, uncles, and cousins would be coming that night. Two massive tables had already been set up downstairs for the young ones—anyone not over fifty—to eat at, and after dinner, they’d play various games and open Christmas presents.

“I didn’t bring anything,” I whispered to him.

“Don’t worry. We do a Secret Santa, and Mom has taken care of our gifts to whoever’s name she picked for us. It’s all good.”

I hated Christmas, but I was looking forward to this.

After I’d stuffed my face with hash-brown casserole, French toast, bacon, ham, rye toast, and a cinnamon bun, I could barely move. I beached myself on one of the plush chairs next to Gwen. Susan had just made the best breakfast I’d ever had, but Jeremy’s potatoes were still better.

“That was great,” I said.

“My mom knows how to cook. I’ll give her that.”

I turned to face Gwen better, which was difficult after all the food I’d eaten. “We didn’t really get a chance to talk yesterday. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you. Jeremy says only great things.”

She grinned, and her steel-blue eyes seemed to laugh too. “Did he tell you I’m pretty blunt? And the black sheep while he can do no wrong?”

“He may have mentioned it, but I’m pretty blunt too. And nothing about him being the favorite. Typical, though. The sons are always the preferred child.”

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