Page 41 of Winning the Nightcap

Her expression softens knowing how much I adore my job. While my parents never like to hear any inkling of any of us kids not having a healthy separation between work and our personal lives, they trust us to make the calls on what exceptions we make. Except Toby, they usually beg him every few weeks to make more time for himself.

“More prep for the adoption event you got coming up?” Toby asks from the living room. “I’ve got a friend from work who is looking for a dog. I asked him to hold off and consider waiting for your event instead.”

“Thanks, Toby. I can give you a few fliers to take to your office if you wouldn’t mind. Getting the word out is always tough. People lose sight of things like that during the holiday season.” I pause and toss another cookie back to buy myself a few seconds to think of how to say this without raising any suspicion. “But, uh…that’s not what I meant. I was watching a dog for one of my clients who had to go out of town unexpectedly and couldn’t find boarding. I didn’t think you’d want a big lab puppy prowling around for cookies during your party.”

There. That was perfectly inconspicuous. No need to talk about Aiden. It’s nothing serious anyway. Just two adults who might go on a date next month. And who kiss apparently.

Is it hot in here?

“We missed you. Not just us, of course. Mrs. Oakley from two streets down was asking about you again. Her son just graduated from med school, and she finally got his permission to set him up. She told me she’s a year away from putting the pressure on him to give her grandkids. What do you think, would you be interested in meeting him?”

“As much fun as that sounds, and as wonderful as it’d be to date someone knowing my future mother-in-law is already trying to putmy baby maker to work…”

“Ugh, gross, Bec,” Ash groans as he sets out a cheese tray.

“But…I, uh, I’m not looking to meet anyone right now. Maybe Danny and him would get along,” I say, hoping to take the focus off me. The glare Danny sends my way tells me my deflection is unappreciated at best. I flash her a megawatt smile.

“Hm…and why is that, I wonder?” Danny grins maniacally.Shit, does she know?Maybe she talked to Ellie recently? “Her son sounds like a catch. You should totally get his number. What a cute story to be brought together by Christmas cookie matchmaking. Besides, I just started talking to someone from my gym. Sorry.”

“Well, I sort of have a…date. We’re not exclusive, nothing serious. I just wouldn’t feel right seeing both of them at the same time. I’m not trying to play the field or anything.”

That gets everyone’s attention. Danny looks genuinely surprised.Huh, guess Ellie didn’t blab.

“And…? Do we get any more info than that?” Toby asks.

“Who is he?” Ash tacks on.

“When is the date?” Danny beams.

“Okay, everyone give Rebecca a minute. I’m sure she’ll tell us all about him over dinner, right, hun?”

I shrug. “Not too much to tell. We met a few years ago at Ellie’s wedding and he just moved to town. He asked me to go on a date when he picked up his dog…”

“Wait, he’s the client whose dog you were watching?” Danny is way too perceptive for her own damn good. One slip is all it takes. She never misses it.

“Yeah. He had to get out of town for a family thing on short notice, so I offered to help him out. He’s a really nice guy, but I was clear that I didn’t want to jump into a relationship or anything. I agreed to one date after the holidays.”

“You feeling ready for this, Becca boo?” My dad asks with a hint of concern in his eyes.

“Is anyone ever ready?” I counter.

“You take all the time you need, sweetheart. There’s no timeline to jump back into dating,” Dad says.

“Oh, your father is just being his protective self. You follow that heart of yours, Rebecca. Let it lead you. Trust you’ll find its match.” My mom smiles at me with such hope. I wish I could steal just a piece of it from her. For every bit of optimism my mom possesses, my dad is every bit the realist. I normally take after my dad, but as much as it scares me, the flicker of hope I have about where things could lead with Aiden only seems to be growing with time. My gut twists in knots as my brain tells my heart to be reasonable. But something about Aiden makes me want to throw all reason away and risk it all.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Aiden

Celebrating Christmas in a facility with Evie and my mom isn’t exactly how I pictured spending the holiday. We originally wanted to bring Mom home with us for a few days, but after talking it over, we settled on spending as much of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with Mom as possible. Since Mom is still adjusting to her new environment, we didn’t want any interruption to potentially set her back and cause additional confusion or distress.

We brought gifts to exchange, Mom’s favorite holiday foods and desserts, and Evie made a playlist with Mom’s favorite holiday songs. We had already decorated her room, and the staff decorated the common spaces as well. All in all, it’s a cheerful atmosphere and worth it to see the content look on my mother’s face as she leans back in her rocker, humming along softly to “Silent Night.”

She’s been quiet, but I’m relieved to have seen more moments of clarity than I was prepared for during our visit today. We reminisced on a few of our favorite Christmas memories, and she shared memories of her own without us needing to prompt her. It’s been a good day.

I look at Evie and catch her observing Mom, a thoughtful expressionon her face. My heart aches knowing how difficult it is for her to watch our mom go through this. I would do anything to take away the hurt from the two women I care about most in this world.

When I was old enough to realize the significance of my mom leaving my father, the pressure to protect her and my little sister grew stronger. The anxiety can sometimes cause me to act somewhat overbearing. Growing up watching the way my father treated my mom, and then seeing her break away from him and raise us on her own will do that to a kid, I guess. Everything about our current situation makes a person like me feel out of control, insignificant, and helpless. The solution to our problem isn’t something I can give, and it kills me.

---