Page 34 of Ho Ho Oh No

“And you,” I amend.

“And did he care?”

My head kicks back, and I hit her with a faux scoff. “He’s not exactly the benchmark to judge reactions against.”

She bares her teeth, teasing me with a tiger growl before letting her face go lax. “Despite wanting to bust your balls over teasing him, I won’t do it. Because you’re right this time. Even with his lighter vibe these days, he’s still Tomer at heart.”

“Exactly. So you see why I’m less than thrilled about outing myself?”

She pulses her fingers around my bicep, her nails digging into my flesh just enough to give me some wicked ideas for Christmas kinky time later tonight. Assuming, I’m not unable to rise to the occasion from the blanket of baking shame.

“If anyone gives you shit about it, I’ll sic Lettie on them.” Mia giggles into her hand. “I’d defend you myself, but she’s more experienced than me.”

“That’s the truth.” The memory of sugar-sweet Lettie turning into a pit bull when sticking up for Tomer propels a deep chuckle from the back of my throat.“She’s totally Big Al’s daughter.”

At the next red light, I crick my neck for a peek into the backseat. “Doing okay back there, Ma?”

“Yes, dear,” she replies meekly, her wrinkled hands wrapped gingerly around theseatbelt’s shoulder strap.

My sinuses sting, and my throat clogs with an onslaught of emotion, but it somehow calms my nerves simultaneously.

Gratefulness drapes over me. She’s been lucid all day. If it weren’t such an improbablethought, I’d believe she saved up allher lucid moments from the last month for tonight. Ma always had a way of making Christmas special for us. Despite her condition, she’s managed to do it again.

One last time?

I hope not. But just in case it is, I try to carve it into my psyche, so I can hold onto it forever.

A lump forms in my throat, and my view of her grows hazy with pooling moisture.

Mia taps my arm.“The light, Cal.”

Jerking my face back to the windshield, I blink free from the heavy thoughts and ease my foot onto the gas pedal.

From the corner of my eye, I notice Mia pulling out her phone with her free hand. The radio in the car connects two seconds later.

With a satisfied smirk creeping across the car to me, Mia slips her phone back into her purse.

The sound of familiar jingle bells fills the space, followed by the deep bellow of Dean Martin repeating, “Rudolph.”

By the thirdRudolph, my mother starts singing along, immediately launching into the chorus.

Ma’s favorite song by one of her favorite crooners.

Mia’s first Christmas with us, and yet she already knows. I’d expect nothing less.

Feigning frustration, I shoot her a scornful side-eye, but I can’t keep up the act for long. Soon, my glare warms into a lustful wink.

I fucking love this woman.

Chapter 10

It's beginning to look a lot like Bratmas

LETTIE

Running my fingertips gently over the gift box, I smooth out the crinkled edge and inspect my handiwork. A sprawling smile pulls my cheeks wide, thinning my lips.

I love it so dang much.Allof it.

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