Page 35 of Just for the Holidays

“Mom.” Katie butts in.

Rebecca waves away the interjection. “I got his number, and told him you’d be calling.”

“What?” Nichol’s jaw hangs, with his mouth full of mush.

“Rebecca!” Carl barks.

“What?” She shrugs, obliviously.

“Mr. Hinkly really is very cute…” Katie teases. “We all call him Mr. Hunkly,” she adds, with a wink.

“I’m seeing someone.” Nichol blurts.

The entire table freezes with all eyes on him.

“That’s all I’m going to say at this time,” His face burns and he dumps cola down his throat. “Phew, I’m stuffed.” He leans over to pet Stuart and passes the goofy pug a chunk of steak.

“That’s great Nick.” Carl cheers.

“Who? Since when?” Rebecca pleads for more information.

“It’s new, and I’m not going to jinx it.” Nichol declares.

Rebecca opens her mouth to speak . . .

“Dessert?” Anthony interrupts.

Nichol would kiss the man, if he weren’t his brother-in-law.

“I made a cherry cobbler.” Katie says, adding, “And there’s still some cookies in the jar that Teddy sent home with Nichol the other day.” She eyes Nichol with a piercing suspicion.

“I’ve got to do some laundry tonight.” He comments, trying to escape the interrogation. “Then I’m going to bed early… Back at the bakery by 6,” he chimes, gathering his plate and rising off his chair.

“Your mother and I need to stop into the bakery and order some goodies for the holiday party.” Carl contributes to the conversation.

“You can let me know what you need, and I will relay the message to Teddy.” Nichol scrapes his plate into the garbage disposal, flicking it on, to drown out any more chatter aimed his way. Especially from his mother, twisting in her chair, appearing full of questions. “Leave a list here and I’ll take it with me tomorrow.”

“Max and I can give you a ride in the morning, we’re going into the school early. He has a field trip to the Natural History Museum and I’m chaperoning.” Katie rolls her eyes.

“Great,” Nichol responds, hurrying to the stairs. “Goodnight.”

“Get back here,” Rebecca demands.

Giving up on escaping, he trudges back, through the archway, and meets her as she’s rising from her chair spreading her arms for a hug.

“Goodnight.” She kisses his cheek.

“Night,” Carl adds, patting Nichol’s shoulder.

Nichol ruffles his father’s hair and makes his escape to the basement, shutting himself away in the childhood bedroom that’s no longer his own.

Chapter 20

Teddy

Mood

Teddy clocked a ten-mile run on the treadmill, followed by several dozen reps of upper-body resistance routines on various pulley machines, while dreamily—losing track of time—recalling the past few days with Nichol.

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