Page 59 of All We Need

“Sue me.Nowspill.”Fingerssteepled under his chin, he beams at me.

“Oooh, tea.”Mysister strolls in with a pair of reindeer antlers on her head.

“No.No.Onehundred percent no.”Ipoint at each of them, ending onFlorence. “Thereis no tea.Thecup is dry.Goabout your lives, stop interfering in mine, and let me finish dinner.”

They’re all silent for a beat before they bark with laughter.

Graham is the first to speak. “Richcoming from the guy who makes it his life’s mission to stick his nose intoourbusiness.”

I ignore him, spoon a knob of butter into the potatoes, then angrily mash them.

“So who’s going to tell me what’s going on?”Florencechirps.

Dex is the one to respond. “Boothappears to havechanged alliances and hasfinallycharmedAlessandrainto bed with him.”

“You fucked the boss?!”Harriet—whoIdidn’t even hear come in—shrieks.

Harriet isJohanna’syounger sister and my high school girlfriend.Wegave each other our virginities and then promptly realized we were better off as friends.Eventhough she lives inTennessee, we’ve remained close.

Right now, however, she’s the straw breaking the camel’s back.

“Everyone out!Akitchen is no place for gossiping.”Ithrow a handful of uncooked cranberries at them. “Forthe record.Ididn’t sleep with her.Yes, we both got stuck in the cabin together, but we were forced into that situation.Sheleft, then probably jumped on the next flight out of here.Endof story.Now, leave me in peace orI’llthrow the food in the trash.”

To my relief, a chorus of sighs and one “You’reno fun” meet my ears before they reluctantly traipse into the dining room.

With a deep breath,Ishut my eyes, collecting myself.

Dex is getting laxatives in his serving.

I finish the potatoes, glaze the ham, plate up the sides, and forget all aboutAlessandra.

Twenty minutes later, the table is crammed full of food, and we’re all fighting for a seat.

“Mom, what’s with the extra place settings?”Patrickpoints at two empty chairs.

“DidInot tell you?Iinvited a couple of friends who are alone thisChristmasbecause of the storm.”Sheglances down at her watch. “They’rerunning late.”

As if on cue, the doorbell chimes.Mysiblings andIexchange curious looks.It’snot unusual for my mom to invite people over.Forthe last two years,MartinWillishas joined us.

“Booth, sweetheart, would you answer that, seeing as you’re up?” my mom says.

“Sure,Ma.”Iset the gravy dish down and head to the front door.

To no surprise,Martinstands on the other side of the threshold.

Only, he isn’t alone.

Shoulders back, face impassive, and chin held high,Alystares at me, completely unbothered.Theonly giveaway to herdiscomfort is the white-knuckling of her hand around the paper bag she’s holding.

Me?Myheart is ready to punch out of my chest while my brain simultaneously tells me to slam the door shut.

Neither of us speaks.Thesilence drags as the cold air claws at my face.Igrip the door so hard, the wood creaks.

“You okay there,Booth?”Martin’seyes dart betweenAlyand me.

I lose the staring contest and gesture inside. “Yeah, sorry.Comein.”

“Ladies first,”Martinsays toAly, who barely glances at him as she hurries through the door.

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