Page 54 of Sexted By Santa
He looked as if he was ready to clap back—by telling me how unfashionable Target was, no doubt—but Henry stole everyone’s attention.
“Dinner is ready, lovelies! Come to the dining room. Grab the wine, someone. We must drink and be merry!”
Hugh sidled up to us, smiling warmly at Christian before turning to Fynn. “You ready, babe?”
Fynn leveled a displeased look at me. “I might have lost my appetite.”
“Don’t be silly. You’ve barely eaten today. Besides, you can’t miss out on Aunt Henry’s Christmas delights. That would be a crime.” He grinned at Christian, a familiarity in his smile that made me suddenly wonder if they’d ever been more than friends. “You know how grumpy he gets when he’s hungry.”
Fynn rolled his eyes. “You’re such an idiot. He’ll never go for it.”
With that cryptic comment, he stalked off toward the dining room.
Hugh turned a smile on Christian, ignoring me entirely. “Don’t mind Fynn. He’s only snarly because he misses you.”
“And that doesn’t bother you?” Christian asked.
“Why would it? I miss you too. Let’s talk later, hmm?” He flicked a glance my way. “Alone. There are things to say. Maybe we can all be happier.”
Hugh strode off to join the rest of the party in the dining room. Christian stood staring into space after him, seemingly lost in thought.
I didn’t have a clue what was going through his head, but I didn’t like the implications that Fynn might not be finished with him. Would my presence here only push them back together? And why did Hugh seem more in favor of a reconciliation when Fynn was supposed to be his boyfriend.
I was beginning to think I was in over my head with this crowd.
* * *
“Aunt Henry, you outdid yourself.” Barry pushed back from the table and patted his bloated belly. “I’ll have to waddle out of here.”
His wife, Teresa, giggled. “Don’t act ungrateful. You loved every bite.”
“I did,” Barry agreed, nodding.
I leaned in close to Christian. We sat shoulder to shoulder, beside Aunt Henry at the head of the table, and across from Barry and Teresa. Darius sat on Christian’s other side, and Hugh sat on the other side of Teresa, leaving Fynn and Lydia on the far end. Fynn looked to be sulking, leaning in every now and then to whisper into Hugh’s ear while his eyes shot daggers at me. I made sure to smile smugly at him when I caught him at it. Watching him huff and stab viciously at the roasted potatoes on his plate was all the entertainment I needed for the night.
I’d never considered myself vindictive, but I sincerely did not like Fynn. I was sure he wasn’t all bad. Christian had married him, so there must be some redeeming qualities to him. But so far, all I’d seen was a snarky, snobby man who thought too highly of himself.
“How did Barry come to be part of this tribe?” I asked in a quiet voice.
Fynn, Hugh, Darius—they were all openly gay, and I was guessing Lydia was too, though I couldn’t be sure. Barry and Teresa were the odd couple out, presumably straight and married.
“Through me,” Christian said. “Barry and I are like brothers. He and Teresa have worked hard to keep me from turning into a recluse since…”
I impulsively patted his leg under the table. “They’re good friends.”
“Yes.”
“I wish we’d been friends sooner,” I admitted. “I was right next door. I could have been there for you.”
Christian looked stunned. “Well, you could hardly worry about me. You have your hands full with Tori.”
“You don’t think I could manage both?”
“I don’t know,” Christian said. “I’ve never had a daughter. You seem devoted to her.”
“I am.” And I’d had my own doubts about whether my life had room for a relationship. After so many failed starts, I’d stopped trying. It had seemed better for Tori and me both. But now I had my doubts. Surely, I had room in my heart for more than one person? Tori would grow up one day, move out, and leave me behind. That was how it should be.
Did I want to be alone when that day came? Or did I want a partner who’d help see me through Tori’s teenage years, who’d support me as I supported him?
