Page 23 of Mistletoe Kisses

He was right. Even if I didn’t want him to be.

“We promised we would each fulfill a dare. I dared you to meet your family. You and I both know you’re ready.”

“I have met them,” I said quietly.

“As your father’s son.”

I let out a shaky breath.

“You’re planning to do it on your way out of town, aren’t you?”

That was the plan, actually. He knew me too well.

“Remember, this is your chance to make a genuine connection with the family you’ve never met before. From what you’ve said, they seem like great people. They deserve to know you, A. I’m sure they would love to welcome you into their lives if you’d let them.” His voice was soft and coaxing.

“Why is this so hard? I don’t get it.” I dropped my head back against the seat headrest.

“Armchair psychology session?”

I sighed. “Fine, but I reserve the right to stop it.”

“Always.”

That was a real-talk game we sometimes played with each other. It took years before I felt comfortable enough with Keaton to be direct with him and express my thoughts on something in his life, but he never held anything I said against me. I never did with him either because his takes were usually spot-on.

“Okay, hold on. I need an armchair for this,” I heard him mutter to himself. “The furniture in this Airbnb is not suitable for amateur psychology. There’s not even a proper armchair. And that recliner looks like it was built before World War II.” It sounded like something heavy was scraping across the floor.

Keaton let out a satisfied sigh. “Okay. Much better. I moved a chair into the natural light. Riggs had it facing a wall like it was being punished. So I think your mom did the best she could with you, but honestly? You deserve more. This family could be that.”

He grew silent for a moment and let his words sink in.

“You need to be surrounded by people who will show you so much love that it’s borderline smothering. I know your mom loves you, but you need to experience it in other ways than she can give you. But I’m guessing you’re worried that if they turn out to be cold or indifferent, that would be incredibly disappointing, right? Not to mention the fears of them not being interested in a relationship or being too upset to learn their loved one had a secret child. Assuming youarea secret.”

Of course I was a secret. If they’d known about me, they would’ve reached out. Right?

I stared at the half-empty soup container as I processed his words. Keaton hummed quietly in the background.

“How do you know all that? I didn’t even consciously think those thoughts until you said them.”

“Because it’s always easier to recognize what’s going on with other people. We both know you can armchair psych the hell out of me with my family.”

Keaton was right. I had a lot of opinions about his relationship with his family and his position in it.

“And, no, we’re not talking about me right now. I can hear your brain working.”

I chuckled. “What you’re saying makes sense, but it still doesn’t make it easier.”

“Remember, feelings aren’t facts. Fears aren’t facts. Nothing good in life is easy. Insert motivational quote here, yadda, yadda.”

I chuckled. “Making a box of mac and cheese is easy, and it’s really good.”

“You know what? You’re right. I take that back. Sometimes, easy things are good. But think about what I said, okay?”

“I will.”

“Better think quickly because you’re running out of time.”

“Speaking of that. How’s the content creation going?” I asked.

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