Page 93 of Holiday Hostilities

I look down at her. “Ma, don’t get me wrong, I’m glad that you and Nonna are here, but…whyare you here, exactly? And why is Nonna interrogating Livvy about babies?”

“Livvyis her name, then.” She has straight mischief in her eyes—it’s a well-known fact in my family that I got my love of teasing from my mother. She goes on to explain, “You were so insistent on coming home for Christmas, but I wanted to meet the woman you kept talking in circles about. So, Nonna and I decided to come here instead. Spend Christmas in the city you’ve been calling home for the past few years. Probably about time anyway.”

“Would’ve been nice to have a heads-up,” I tease, but honestly, I’m happy to see them both a day early. No matter how misguided and schemey they are.

And this means I won’t have to leave Olivia.

As excited as I’ve been to see my family, the thought of leaving Olivia here by herself for the holidays felt wrong. Not only did I not want to be apart from her again, but I know how difficult this time of year is for her.

I was planning on talking to her tonight and offering for her to come to Jersey with me, or for me to stay here with her. From the beginning, she stated that she wanted to spend Christmas by herself—that was part of our original agreement—but I wanted to offer an alternative, just in case her feelings had changed.

Now, I don’t know how she’ll feel about my family gatecrashing.

And the last thing on earth I want to do is break a promise I made to her.

Mom and I walk to the kitchen (okay, I practically sprint there while my mom cackles behind me), and we find Olivia making tea while Nonna sits at a barstool, eyes glinting. “I like this one, Nipotino,” she tells me.

I have to smile as Liv’s eyes meet mine. “Ah, she’s all right.”

“And he’s notentirelyinsufferable,” she fires back cheekily. “Also, what’s Nipotino?”

“Grandson,” I explain to her. “It’s an affectionate term in Italy.”

“Cute.” Liv gives me a wrinkle-nosed smile that I commit to memory forever.

“So, how did you two meet?” Mom sits next to Nonna and spreads her hands on the counter, silver bracelets jingling from her wrists. She eyes Olivia’s sweatshirt curiously. “Are you a fan?”

“Oh yeah, she’s my biggest fan,” I reply, and watch with delight as Liv’s face flares as red as Santa’s suit.

“Not a fan, no. This was just a little joke for Christmas. I’m not crazy or anything…” she trails off, worrying her teeth into her bottom lip like she’s physically trying to contain her ramble.

“Mom,” I say, saving her while throwing myself in the firing line. “Livvy’s full name is Olivia Griswold. You know, from high school.”

Her reaction is exactly what I expect.

Mom squeals. “Really?”

Nonna claps her hands to her powdered cheeks. “Oddio, it’s a Christmas miracle!”

“Olivia Griswold! This makes so much sense now.” Mom beams at Liv. “You know, he never shut up about you. It was always ‘Olivia this’ and ‘Olivia that.’ The poor boy was completely under your spell, my dear.” She winks at me. “What a marvelous surprise. I’m so happy we came.”

I can physically feel the blush creeping up my neck as I look at Olivia, who’s staring back at me. She puts her hands on her hips, a sassy grin on her face. “Never shut up about me, huh? Now who’s a fan of who?”

I shrug a shoulder. “Told you I was a bit obsessed with you.”

Still am.

I take in her sparkly eyes and glowing expression.Probably always will be.

Just then, the doorbell rings and I let out a groan, suddenly picturing my huge extended family of uncles and cousins and step-cousins standing on my doorstep with their billion suitcases to join my mom, Nonna, and me for Christmas. “Who could that be?”

“That’ll be our food.” Olivia looks at Mom and Nonna. “We ordered a ton, if you’re hungry.”

“Starving,” Mom confirms, then pats Olivia’s arm downright affectionately. “Thank you, my dear.”

“Um, we’ll go get the food,” I say quickly. “Bothof us.”

With that, I put my hand on Olivia’s lower back and usher her into the hallway.

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