Page 2 of Snowed In With The Second Chance Daddy

“You’re coming for Christmas, right?” Oliver swipes a fry through the glob of ketchup on his plate.

I sigh. “Begrudgingly, yes.”

Rowan’s jaw drops open. “Begrudgingly?”

I take my time responding, attending to my burger, taking a sip of my shake. “Relax. It’s not like I have anywhere else to go.”

“I wouldn’t put it past you to spend Christmas alone.” Oliver’s gaze hardens on me.

I wouldn’t either, if I’m honest. In fact, I thought about it.

Oliver’s family has treated me as one of their own since we met in college. Fifteen years ago now.

And I’ve always been grateful for the way they’ve integrated me into the fold.

The issue is, if I wasn’t the odd man out before, I definitely am now.

Oliver and his brothers are now married with kids of their own. His dad too, after grieving Oliver’s mom for a decade.

I’m not married. I certainly don’t have a kid.

I was supposed to be married by now, though.

It’s hard to shake the pain of that when I get to witness all their happy endings.

“You know Christmas wouldn’t be the same without you,” Rowan says with a sweet smile.

I know her better than to think she’s just being nice, but seriously, why would a big happy family want the single sad sack who isn’t even related to them hanging around?

“Especially for Rose,” Rowan adds.

Rose, my beautiful goddaughter. “I doubt Rose is going to remember this Christmas. No offense, guys.” I divert my attention to my plate.

Oliver scoffs. “There will be pictures. And she’ll wonder where Uncle Trevor was.”

“Yeah, well, what about Aunt Iris?” My voice dips low and more disdainful than I mean it too.

The table goes silent.

Rowan and Oliver freeze.

I ignore it at first, eating, knowing that it’s a bit of a mic drop to bring up my ex-fiancée, who is also Rowan’s best friend. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve mentioned her since I ended things. For six months, her name has been like a curse, a conversation killer.

However, even if I throw Oliver and Rowan off with a mention of her, they are usually quicker than this to try and smooth things over.

I lift my gaze to the pair.

Oliver is leaning on his elbow, chewing on his thumb nail, and Rowan’s eyes are wide, teeth gnashing on her lower lip.

Those are tells if I ever saw them.

“What?”

“Nothing! Nothing.” Rowan tries to laugh it off. She pushes her half-finished plate of food away. “Just, um, well…” She looks at Oliver.

So,Ilook at Oliver, narrowing my eyes. “What?”

Oliver’s eyes flutter shut. “Goddammit. Fine.” He rubs a hand over his five o’clock shadow, straightens up, and looks me in the eye. “Iris is going to be in town for Christmas.”

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