Page 56 of Subbing For Santa

One thing I’ve noticed is that I’m the only plus one. Surely, the older family members have wives or husbands. The oldest boy, Leo, I think his name is, has to be well into his forties. So where is his wife or partner? Or children?

It seems odd to me, but I keep that thought to myself as I learn what it’s like to be part of a family on Christmas Day.

My mind wanders to my mum and sister often, this year being one of the worst in a long time to notice their absence. Did their lives improve after I left? Do they have families to spend Christmas with? Are they even still alive?

“You ok?” Griffin’s deep rasp against my ear snags my attention from my plate, and I turn my head, his nose brushing over my cheek, he’s so close.

“Yes.” I nod.

“What were you just thinking about? You seemed to go somewhere in your head.”

Mr Observant, isn’t he? How frustrating, yet also… nice.

“Just thinking about family. How nice it must be to have such a wonderful family to spend your Christmases with.”

He brushes my golden waves back off my face, tucking a few strands behind my ear. “It is wonderful, yes. Family is very important to me.”

A lump forms in my throat then. I can’t relate to that, but I desperately want to.

“Do you want a family, Aggie?” Griffin asks quietly so no one else can hear our conversation. “Kids someday?”

The question takes me by surprise, my brows shooting high as I consider it. “I guess. Someday.”

He smirks. “I already know what I want for Christmas next year.”

“Oh, really?” I grin at his playful tone. “And what’s that?”

“To be announcing your pregnancy.”

I choke on my own saliva, my hand flying to cover my mouth as I cough.

“Oh my god, Griffin. Did you just say something gross to her?” Grace whines while the others start hooting and laughing.

“Shit. Do you need a drink?” Griffin starts fussing over me, but I shake my head, pushing him back a little so I can get a bit of space between us. He’s been attentive to me all day. Some part of him touching me at most times. But at the mention of pregnancy, I’m about ready to bolt. I’ve lived such a solitary life and never thought I’d ever find someone to spend my years with, let alone have children.

“What can I do?” Griffin asks, but my coughing subsides, and I take a sip of water, trying to compose myself. “Do you need some fresh air?”

“No, but let’s not discuss the P word again.”

He frowns. “Ever?”

I shrug. “If I’m here with you this time next year, then we can start discussing it again then.”

Slowly, his lips spread wide and his teeth flash as the biggest damn smile I’ve seen him wear morphs his face. “Deal.”

After lunch, we all move outside, where most of the boys play cricket. Griffin joins in, and I enjoy sitting back in the warm sun and watching him joke around with his brothers. I learn a few things from this.

One is that he’s very competitive. Another is that he looks downright sinful when he tugs his t-shirt off and sticks it in his back pocket, reminding me of last night when I thought he was going to kill me. Now I just think it is insanely hot.

I also learn that his brothers are all cut from the same sinful cloth. Jesus, they have good genes. I can only imagine they have women throwing themselves at their feet most days.

After a few glasses of wine, my bladder makes itself known, and I excuse myself to go and relieve it. After I’ve done my business and open the door to step back out of the lavish powder room, I jerk to a stop, nearly running into Fallon, who is standing in the doorway, blocking my path.

“Sorry,” I laugh awkwardly. “Didn’t see you there.”

She raises a single dark brow at me and steps forward, which means I take a step back to avoid her running into me. This happens a couple of times until she closes us back inside the powder room.

“How’d you do it?” She snaps, and I flinch back.

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