Page 55 of Blame It On the Secret Santa

Thirty-Two

Sean

Lunch with Cassidyat my parents’ house went better than I could ever have expected. I knew she was nervous about it. Hell, so was I. But just as I predicted, we were all able to move on from the past and act like civilized adults. By the time we left, Cassidy and Stephanie were exchanging phone numbers so they could keep in touch as the girls clung to Cassidy’s side the entire time we were there.

I was thankful that my dad had a relatively good day and seemed present for most of it. On occasion, we would notice his memory would fail him, but he didn’t let it frustrate him as much as it normally would.

We dropped my car off at my place and Cassidy drove us to her parents’ house so we didn’t have to take two cars since she was staying at my house tonight. I didn’t want to rush through dinner with her family, but I also couldn’t wait to have her to myself again. I wasn’t just falling in love again; I was already in it and sinking fast.

“You ready?” Cassidy said as we walked up the driveway to the front door.

“More than ready. You?”

“It depends on how much eggnog they’ve already had. I never know what to expect with them,” she teased as the door opened right as we got to it.

“Hello! Hello!” her mother said, stepping back so we could step inside. “Merry Christmas, you two!”

“Merry Christmas, Mom,” Cassidy replied, leaning in to hug her. “Even though we’ve already done all of this when I was here this morning.”

Amelia laughed and swatted at her daughter’s shoulder.

“Merry Christmas,” I said, hugging her mom. “Thank you for allowing me to join your family for dinner.”

“Oh, dear. You’re welcome anytime. We adore you and are so happy that you are here with us today.”

I was thankful that her family did not seem to be holding any grudges or hard feelings about my so-called past infidelity. I didn’t know if Cassidy had already told them about us or how it was Declan who had been caught cheating all those years ago. But none of that seemed to matter right now, so I wasn’t going to waste my time or energy thinking about it.

We all sat down at the table, and I grinned seeing how many almost empty eggnog glasses there were sitting in front of her parents and Sam. Cassidy shook her head but couldn’t stop the corners of her lips from turning up into a smile.

“Would you like some eggnog?” Sam offered, holding up the pitcher as he refilled the other glasses.

I looked at Cassidy, hoping she would give me some guidance.

“He’ll have some,” she answered for me with a flirty smirk. “I’m driving tonight so none for me.”

“It’s not Christmas without a little eggnog,” her mother interjected. “I have some that’s not spiked. Do you want some of that instead?”

“Sure. That sounds wonderful.”

The girls went to the fridge and talked quietly while I sat at the table with her dad and brother, who were both staring strangely at me.

“If you hurt her, I will poison your coffee and make it look like an accident,” Sam said with a grin that made it look like he’d just told me how much he loves puppies.

“And I know how to dispose of a body without anyone realizing it’s missing,” her father added with his fingers steepled in front of him.

“Umm—” I started, snapping my mouth closed as I struggled with how to respond to that.

Just then, they both burst into laughter, nudging each other with their elbows.

“We’re just fucking with you,” Sam said, shaking his head that I fell for it.

“Whew,” I replied, letting the air in my lungs out in a long, heavy breath. “Not gonna lie, I was a bit worried there for a minute.”

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