Page 70 of Merry Little Midlife Matchmaker

Mom glanced over at me and smiled. “That’s nice.”

I nodded and forced my own lips to curl. I didn’t mention that when I’d hung up the phone, it had taken me a few minutes of deep breathing to ease the tightness in my chest. Missing these moments with my kids never got easier, but I had to remind myself that I got them most of the time. Their father had been a terrible husband, but he did love them. And June was as good a stepmother as I could hope for. It was just my selfish desire to hoard every moment, every holiday, every memory with my kids for myself. They deserved better.

Besides, wasn’t I trying to enjoy this time to myself? Wallowing in self-pity wasn’t going to help anything.

“Well, I’m glad you’re here with us,” Mom said. “We’ll have a nice day, and then we spend a nice week until New Year’s when we celebrate with everyone together.”

“Exactly.” I focused on the potato in my hands, peeling its skin off in long strips. It wasn’t the first holiday I’d spend without my kids, and it wouldn’t be the last.

My mom went over to the old stereo in the corner of the kitchen and started up some Christmas music. I smiled at the old folk CD she’d been playing for decades and sang along as we cooked side by side. Every time the doorbell rang, my ears pricked.

Cousins arrived with their kids. Aunts and uncles came through the door. My brothers blew in with gusts of cool air.

Finally, in the early afternoon, the doorbell rang and wasn’t immediately followed by the sound of the newcomer’s voice. My heart skipped a beat, because I knew that the only person who wouldn’t let themselves in without hesitation was Sean.

Sure enough, a few moments later, I heard my father’s voice greeting him, followed by the familiar rumble of Sean’sresponse. My pulse rattled, and I was sure my cheeks were flushed. Grateful for the hot stove in front of me that could be used as an excuse, I kept my head down until I heard the familiar cadence of Sean’s footsteps on the tiles behind me.

“Sean!” Mom exclaimed. “Merry Christmas.”

“Same to you, Mrs. B.”

“You’re not a teen anymore, Sean. Will you call me Sandra?”

I glanced over my shoulder in time to see Sean grin. “Probably not. You’ll always be Mrs. B to me.”

Mom laughed, delighted, and wrapped him in a warm hug.

I put the lid on the gigantic vat of potatoes and turned, wiping my hands on my apron. Sean glanced up and met my gaze. Just a few hours ago, he’d been in my bed. He’d left so we could both get ready for dinner at my parents’ place, but the sight of him here and now reminded me that our naked bodies had been pressed together not too long ago.

“Merry Christmas,” I told him, and I smiled. I hesitated for a brief moment, then closed the distance between us, got on my tiptoes, and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

Sean’s hand skimmed down my side and over my hip, sending wild flutters through my stomach. “Merry Christmas, Lizzie,” he said quietly in my ear. We’d already wished each other a happy holiday this morning as the sun came up, but I could feel my mother’s eyes on me and it would be weird not to say it to him again.

Pulling away, I cleared my throat. “How was your morning?”

As soon as the words left my lips, my cheeks flamed. Sean grinned. “My morning was great.”

I could sense my mom hovering beside us, so I took another step away from him and gave them both a bright smile. “Drink? Mom’s special eggnog? Or we have mulled wine, soda, water, beer…”

“Can’t say no to a bit of eggnog,” he said, eyes lingering on me for a moment before turning to my mom. She beamed at him and poured him a glass, and I busied myself cleaning up the counter where the potato peels had left starchy water splattered all over the granite.

Sean stayed long enough to compliment my mother on her eggnog, then made his way to the living room to greet the rest of the guests.

Mom was quiet for a few long moments, and I began to breathe easier. Maybe the tension between me and Sean hadn’t been as obvious as it had felt.

Then my mother said, “You’ve been spending an awful lot of time with Sean lately, haven’t you?”

I jumped. “What?”

She chopped a carrot and shrugged a shoulder. “How goes the search for that date to New Year’s? Just a week to go now.”

“He’s been on three dates,” I told her, which, strictly speaking, was the truth. “None of them worked out as far as I know.”

My mother glanced over at me, with those all-seeing eyes that used to strike fear into the very depth of my heart. I discovered, in that moment, that even at forty-one years old, her eyes still had that ability. All she said was, “I see. Tougher nut to crack than your usual matchmaking prospects, then?”

“I guess so,” I replied. “Everything seems to be under control here for a bit, huh? I’ll go say hi to everyone and see who needs a fresh drink.”

Mom nodded and took out a tray of hors d’oeuvres that had been warming in the oven. “Pass these around, and bring that veggie platter out while you’re at it.”

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