Page 29 of Merry Kissmas

“I’m going to make her breakfast,” Tessa says.

“I was just about to start.Heard the guys went to work out, so I was giving them some time.”Mom swings her feet down from the chair and goes to stand.

“I’ll just make her some eggs and get her some milk.Don’t worry about it, Gwen.”Tessa busies herself in the kitchen.

My mom relaxes back in her seat.This is her vacation as well, and I should remember that, since at home, she’s always busy doing something.Dad pulls out his phone and starts playing some Christmas music on the stereo.He’s so techy.

“My favorite,” I say, keeping Ryah in my arms and dancing around the room.

She lays her head on my shoulder because she’s likely still tired after last night and the disruption to her usual schedule.

“So…” Tessa says, and I know what she’s going to say before she even says it.“Pierce?”

Mom laughs.“You’re just in time!We were just starting the inquisition.”

Tessa giggles and pulls out a pan.“He’s really attractive.I mean, he’s no Tre, but…”

“Ew, stop talking about my brother like that.”I shrug.“Pierce is okay.”

Tessa eyes me hard, not about to call me out, but she’s telling me she knows he’s more than okay in my book.

“He was her TA in London.Did you know that, Tessa?”Mom says, getting up from her chair and going into the kitchen because she can’t help herself.She stops and kisses Ryah on the head.

Ryah tries to go to her, but I spin her around.

“Ohhh, scandalous.Tell me more.”Tessa pours herself a cup of coffee, sips it, and pulls an egg out of the fridge.

“Nothing to tell.That’s just how we know each other.”

“Well, he’s not looking at you like you’re his student, that’s for sure,” Mom says.

“Let’s remember that’s my daughter you’re talking about,” Dad calls.

My mom turns to look back at him.“Oh hush, you have no problem talking about the boys.”

“She’s my little girl.I’m the only man in her life as far as I’m concerned.”

I dance over to my dad and kiss his cheek.“You’re always my number one.”

He smiles at me, and this time, Ryah refuses to be persuaded away from my dad.He places his coffee cup on the table and holds out his arms for her.“Want to see the snow?”

Ryah gets comfortable on my dad’s lap, and I go to sit on one of the bar stools at the kitchen island.

“Come on,” Tessa whispers.

I know I can trust her.Seeing how her and Tre figured out their issues, she’d understand.

The door opens and a gush of cold wind comes in.

“Seriously, it’s so cold out there.”Kenzie holds Nolan, who’s bundled up in his snowsuit.“He’s going to get frostbite.”

“You live in New York,” Tessa deadpans.

“It’s the wind here.”

Tessa laughs.“Get him out of that suit, he’s probably sweating.”Tessa sips her coffee.

Mom takes over cracking the egg and scrambling it in a pan.

---