Page 101 of Calling the Shots

“To a great holiday season.” He nods at each of us, then downs his bubbles in one long slug. Seconds later, he has a refill.

“Cheers.” Tinsley taps her glass to Emma Kate’s and the two of them exchange a knowing glance. Some secret eye signal I can’t decipher.

Whatever.

I have no desire to be in the mean girls club.

“Thanks so much for hosting, Mr. and Mrs. McIntire.” I smile warmly at Mack’s parents and his mom nods, sipping her champagne.

“Our pleasure. I always love seeing my Ulysses.” She beams at her son, and I take the micro jab in stride.

The breeze picks up, the hem of my dress fluttering around my legs, and chill bumps pepper my bare arms. It’s colder out here than I realized. I move toward the fire, eager for the warmth. Mack’s right behind me, but then his dad waves him over to discuss a college classmate of his.

I don’t want to seem clingy, so I stay rooted in front of the fire sipping my drink. Michael Bublé croons from invisible speakers hidden among the landscaping somewhere and I let the gentle notes wash over me, soothing my frayed nerves. One of the staff rushes out to the garden and Mack’s mother excuses herself to tend to the impending culinary crisis.

Leaving me alone with Tinsley and Emma Kate.

Super.

“So, Gracelyn. What are your plans?” Emma Kate swirls the golden liquid in her flute round and round, staring at me over the rim of the glass.

“For Christmas?” I take a quick sip of the drink, the cold liquid sliding down my dry throat.

“More like long-term. Your plans for my brother.”

I choke and sputter, the last drops of wine burning my esophagus.

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t act coy, Grace.” Tinsley narrows her eyes at me. “Are you planning on marrying him?”

My tummy seizes, clenching hard, and I swear my dress shrinks two sizes. Suddenly, I can’t breathe, the supple fabric digging into my waist. Face on fire, I shuffle from foot to foot.

“I mean…I don’t know. Maybe?” I answer honestly.

“Figure he’d be a real catch for someone like you.” Tinsley lowers her voice, making sure only the three of us can hear.

I’ve had just about enough of her negative energy, blistering anger ripping through me. I can’t hold back any longer.

“What do you mean, someone like me exactly?” I spit out the terrible phrase, the same one I’ve heard several times this trip. Vague enough to fly under the radar, a subtle insult.

“You know.” She cocks her head, smoothing her long brown hair over her shoulder.

“No, Tinsley. I honestly don’t.” I work to keep my voice even, but the struggle is real. I’m extremely pissed off now. “Say what’s on your mind and let’s get this out into the open.”

“Wow, okay. You don’t have to be so hostile.” Tinsley holds up an open palm, pretending she’s innocent. A real fucking peacemaker.

Emma Kate steps closer to Tinsley, making it clear that it’s two against one here. Them versus me.

“I’m not being hostile, Tinsley. But I’m tired of the innuendo, the snickering behind my back. If you have a problem with me, go ahead and say it.”

“Fine.” She juts out her chin, her cheekbones high and angular. A perfect face, stunningly beautiful.

Too bad her attitude doesn’t match.

“I think you’re after Mack for his money. I don’t know how you landed him, what kind of magical spell you cast. Nothing about the two of you makes sense. I mean, look at him.” Her eyes dart to the corner of the garden where Mack’s deep in conversation with his father.

And she’s right.

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