Page 29 of Starts With a Bang

“Actually, you and Sven are staying in the primary suite on this floor.” He cackled. “That went over like a lead balloon with Janet.”

“How’d that even happen?” I asked.

“Molly Beth insisted we draw names for it, just like she insisted on paying for half this trip. There was no way in hell she was going to let Janet lord this over us.”

I winced at the cost. “I can pay for my portion.” It would cut into my savings, but I didn’t want my parents to siphon money from their retirement accounts.

“Nonsense. This trip is a gift from your mother and me,” Dad said. He gestured down a hallway just on the other side of the stairs. “Your room is down here at the end of the hallway. Nana is in a smaller suite down there.” He gestured in the opposite direction. “The rest of us are on the second floor. Pray for us.”

While I was happy for some distance between myself, the Carmichaels, and Emerson, I hated that my father was unhappy. But before I could comment, my mom’s voice echoed through the house again.

“Janet! Come meet Dom’s gorgeous boyfriend!”

I let go of the luggage and stepped up my pace. Dad joined me, sounding a little out of breath.

“I don’t want to miss the fireworks,” he said, then muscled past me. “Your mother has practically vibrated with anticipation. She couldn’t wait to show Sven off. Molly Beth has been watching his TikTok videos religiously since you told us Sven was coming with you.” Dad looked over and winked. “Why’d you try to keep your relationship a secret for so long?”

“I, uh…”

“Afraid to jinx it, right?”

“Sure,” I agreed.

“Once you go public, you open yourself up to opinions,” Dad said. “Which are stinky like assholes.”

“Uh-huh.”

The back of the chateau opened into an enormous open space that combined a gourmet kitchen and a grand family room with a two-story stone fireplace and a chandelier the size of a compact car. The room was gleaming pale wood from floor to ceiling, broken only by shaggy white area rugs and furniture. A massive U-shaped sofa was centered in front of the fireplace, with a grouping of club chairs off to the side. The furniture wasn’t the same color but various shades of gray and white and finished with different fabrics. I wouldn’t have thought to pair leather with corduroy and velvet, but it worked somehow. The throw pillows ranged from over-the-top feathery numbers to somber tweeds and faux fur.

The largest artificial Christmas tree I’d ever seen stood in the corner. It had been flocked until every branch was covered in an inch or more of fake snow. There had to be thousands of lights on that sucker. Silver and gold ornaments hung from every branch, and I couldn’t decide if the tree was beautiful or gaudy.

“Check out the television,” Dad said.

I’d clocked the massive beast hanging over the fireplace, but I was more concerned about Mom’s troublemaking at the moment.

“You have a gorgeous fireplace and fancy television in your room too,” Dad added.

And I couldn’t wait to check them out, but I’d need to reclaim my boyfriend first. Damn, that was rolling freely in my brain now.

“Molly Beth!” Janet yelled back. “Hush before you wake Mother!”

I turned toward the kitchen and saw that the Carmichaels and Emerson had gathered around a massive kitchen island. Even more impressive was the amount of booze and food littering its surface. Someone had gone to the store or had groceries delivered. My stomach growled, but I didn’t want to rummage for snacks and draw attention to myself. I nearly snorted out loud. I could’ve taken everything off the island without their notice. Their attention was on Sven, who stood proudly at my mother’s side.

“This is Dom’s boyfriend, Sven.” Mom turned and smiled at him. “You’re even more gorgeous in person.”

“You’re too sweet.” Sven lifted his hand and waved. “Hello.”

“Hello,” chorused the Carmichaels.

Emerson was too busy raking narrowed eyes over Sven to remember his manners. His brown eyes sparkled with malicious intention when he finished his perusal. He sniffed and turned his head, and that’s when his gaze connected with mine. Eyes I used to adore widened in surprise, which was stupid since he had to know I was coming. His lips parted, and he shifted on his stool as if to get up but changed his mind at the last minute. Emerson turned and spoke softly to Christian, who jerked his head in my direction. Sadness was the first emotion I clocked in his familiar blue eyes, but his expression quickly turned to defensiveness.

My aunt and uncle stood beside one another, gazing from one grouping to another as if they weren’t sure where to look or what to say. If I wanted alone time with Sven, and I did, it would be up to me to end the awkward standoff. I paused next to Sven to kiss his temple before moving into the kitchen. I extended my hand to my uncle, who shook it firmly, and then I brushed a kiss against my aunt’s cheek. She was thinner than I’d ever seen her, and I was worried about her.

“It’s good to see you both,” I told them. “It’s been too long.”

And I realized I meant it. They hadn’t handled the situation between Christian and me very well, but he was their son. I would give them a pass this time, but I couldn’t say the same about Christian and Emerson. Ignoring their existence wouldn’t work and would only cause more trouble, so I faced them from the opposite side of the island and offered a cordial nod. It was the best I could do at the moment. I left the Carmichaels and Emerson in the kitchen and walked to my mother and Sven.

“Have we decided what we’re doing for dinner?” I asked Mom.

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