Page 36 of Starts With a Bang

Everyone turned in my direction. “We do something similar in my family. We spend a weekend baking Christmas treats, and the sugar cookie bake-off is the highlight of the event.”

“He’s won the last two years,” Dom said. He’d just learned that at Thanksgiving, but he made it sound like he’d been on hand during each victory. “I’m not sure about my baking skills, but I’m definitely down for eating cookies.”

“Obviously,” Emerson mock whispered to Christian.

I’d give Dom’s cousin credit. He didn’t look remotely pleased with his boyfriend’s comment. Dom didn’t let on if it bothered him, but I suspected the dig about his weight had struck the mark. I’d just have to show him again how sexy I found his body.

“What’s your favorite creation?” Molly Beth asked me.

“Last year, I baked a sugar cookie church with stained glass windows.”

“Your talent knows no bounds,” Dom said.

I forgot we weren’t alone and kissed him again. Molly Beth’s happy squeal and Helen’s “aww” reminded me of where we were.

“To be continued,” I told Dom and earned a wink in response.

“Sounds to me like you haven’t had much competition,” Emerson said. “Maybe you’ll find going up against someone with an art degree is a bit more challenging.” He’d kept his tone light, but his expression was confrontational as hell.

I released Dom and faced Emerson full-on. “I look forward to doing battle with you.”

Janet wandered over to the counter and took another gulp of wine. “And I bought matching pajamas for everyone for a Christmas Eve photo.”

It was the kind of dorky thing my family did, so I was surprised by the negative response in the room. Lucinda had even arranged for us to get together before we left so I wouldn’t miss out. I loved that woman like mad and couldn’t wait to fill her in on all the drama I’d witnessed.

Janet looked at me and winced. “I didn’t know you were coming at the time I placed the order, Spencer.”

“Sven!” Dom and Molly Beth said.

Janet waved them away. “Sorry. I didn’t do it on purpose. I just don’t associate the name Sven with a twenty-year-old American male.”

“I’m thirty, but thanks for the lovely compliment.” I looked at Dom and whispered, “She thinks I’m your boy toy.”

Janet’s brows shot up. “Thirty? Really?”

“Good skin care,” I replied. “And my name is actually Steven. I’m named after my father, just like Dom is named after his.” Then I told them how I earned the Sven nickname. The story got a few chuckles and smiles.

“Maybe I can find you a similar pair of pajamas in town,” Janet said. “I need to do some shopping.”

“I’m not technically family. You don’t have to go to any trouble for me.”

“Neither is Emerson,” Helen said dryly.

A pin drop would’ve sounded like a bomb exploding in the tense silence.

“Mother,” Janet warned. “We discussed this.”

“No,” Helen said. “You talked, and I tuned you out.”

John snorted. “Sounds familiar.”

Janet glared at her husband. “You’re not helping.”

“That also sounds familiar.” John took a sip of his beer and saluted his wife.

Yikes.Things were way more tense between them than I’d originally thought.

“Janet,” Helen said, pulling her daughter’s attention to her. “You’ve got all of us here. Let that be enough for now.”

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