Page 90 of UnLucky Christmas
“Dinner is served,” my mom calls from downstairs.
Grant frowns. “Damn, I didn’t even have a chance to make a move yet.”
I hop up off the bed and reach for his hands to pull him up.
“You’ll have to make your move later,” I tell him. “The sooner we eat, the sooner this day ends.”
I take his face in my hands and kiss him on the lips. Our eyes lock on each other, and it only takes half a second for us to start kissing again. He picks me up, and I wrap my body around him. He lays me down on the bed and our kissing continues until we hear my mother’s voice again.
“Ugh. She’s killing the mood,” I hiss.
He snickers. “At least I can say I made out with you at your mom’s house for a minute.”
We both stand up, and I adjust my dress and fix my hair.
When we reach the bottom of the stairs, Ben raises his eyebrows.
“Were you giving Grant a private tour of the house?”
“Yes.”
“It’s a great house,” Grant exclaims, not letting go of my hand.
We join my mom, Bill, and Emme in the dining room and all sit down. The table is filled with all our traditional foods—a roasted turkey, potatoes, my favorite sweet potato casserole, and the cranberry sauce my mom makes every year. There are a few extra dishes that Bill has added—pomegranate-hazelnut Brussel sprouts and apricot dressing.
“Let’s make a toast,” my mom says, holding up her wine glass. “Here’s to family and to our new additions this year—Bill and Grant.”
Grant reaches over and squeezes my hand under the table, while Ben and Emme exchange a glance.
We all hold up our glasses and touch them to each other’s.
“Thank you, Betsy. I’m thrilled to be here,” Bill announces. “Bon appetit.”
After dinner, we all chip in and help clean up while Bill preps hisaward-winningdesserts. I wonder if they have really won any awards or if he’s making that up.
Grant is drying dishes while Bill explains to him how to make the perfect Grand Marnier soufflé. He’s pretending to be extremely interested, which makes me giggle.
“Wow, I never knew that,” Grant marvels.
“Most people don’t,” Bill replies.
“Grant is a rockstar,” Emme says under her breath. “I lost interest in Bill’s cooking lessons during the appetizers.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“Shall we open gifts before dessert?” Mom asks. She’s standing on a stool, putting away some dishes. Bill rushes to her side and helps her step down.
“Yes,” I exclaim eagerly. “Let’s go do that.”
I’m all about moving these festivities along as quickly as possible. We all start opening gifts at the same time. My mom and Bill gave me a spa day and a gift card for Grant and me to Bill’s friend’s new restaurant concept. Emme and Ben gave me products from my favorite skin care line and some new toys for Dasher.
“Aww…Dasher’s going to love these,” I exclaim. “Thank you.”
I get a trash bag and start cleaning up the wrapping paper and boxes that are strewn all over the room. I’ll do anything to hurry this night up.
We have coffee and dessert, which is fabulous by the way. I even compliment Bill because it’s that good.
Grant and I are finally in the car and heading home around nine thirty. I’m mentally exhausted from the events of the day.
