Page 50 of Christmas Chaos
“You’re not.” He’s quick.
“No. I’m not.” I’m honest.
There’s a pause and I shake it off as Sabrina stumbles to us. She’s followed by everyone else in their own drunken gaits, all preparing to scurry off to their individual gates that will take them to either the places they’re from, the places they’ll be from or, in Sabrina’s case, to a man she’s never seen who’s named after a penis.
“You throw the best, I mean,thebest parties, Tabi!” She tumbles and Rory catches her. She laughs and Jonathan stumbles back to us as well. Rory looks over the top of Sabrina’s head.
He speaks, knowing no one else in the room will understand him. And maybe that’s the thing about this weird-as-shit bond between us, often no one in the room understands me. And I would bet all the wine these assholes drank, it’s the same for him.
“You’re not ok, but you will be.”
I nod curtly to stop myself from becoming vulnerable and sobbing. I smile and turn towards Tristan who throws an arm around me.
“Tabitha, darling. I had a shit couple of days in your country, but I leave here, schnocked, happy and hopeful. You did that. And I thank you,” Tristan says while swaying.
I want him to be happy and the tale of the half torso perfect women doesn’t seem to be over yet. “Listen, Tris, you don’t know all the shit she’s hiding yet, but don’t hide too. Do I need to straighten her out as well as Jonathan’s long-lost love?”
He laughs heartily and squeezes my shoulder, then kisses me on the cheek. “I have it well in hand. Or I will. You’re right. I’m not quite done with Sherilyn yet.”
I turn and embrace him fully, and he walks towards Rory.
Ben shakes Rory’s hand. “Mate.”
Rory semi smiles. “You’ll do great. The company is going to be a success, you’ll turn it around.”
Ben smiles. “Thanks. And I hope I find someone like your Zoe someday.”
Rory says, “Trust me, there’s no one like my Zoe. But someday I do hope it’s as jarring and sudden for you as it was for me.” He slaps Ben on the back and turns to Tristan.
Jonathan gives me a huge sloppy hug and it’s kind of like being squeezed by an octopus crossed with a Buick and a golden retriever.
“She’ll love me, right?” He breaks my heart He’s such a sweetie, but a little dopey and too trusting. We all know he’s making a tremendous mistake, but he needs to see it for himself before I can really help him out. I just gave fate a little nudge, the rest is up to him.
I say, “Get your head out of your crop and fix your fucking life, you hear me? I know a thing or two about being obsessed with soil, yields and harvest.”
His giant blue eyes open to me even wider. “You do! You’re a farmer.”
“At the core of who I am, I’m a farmer. I just have a better tasting crop than most.”
He laughs. “I’ll send you some whiskey if they use my wheat, and we can compare.”
And that’s when they’ll see me drunk, one sip of his whiskey and I’ll be gone. But I’ll bet he’ll be sober. Will be a nice role reversal for him.
I grin, knowing he’ll never remember I called his ex and told her to get her ass in gear. I hope she listens. I hope I don’t have to fly to get her and drag her down to Kentucky to make sure this gentle, fabulous giant doesn’t marry that horrible woman.
Sabrina flings herself at Rory and squeals, “You’re all so tall. You’re tall and handsome. I want a tall and handsome. Not you but someone.”
He kisses her on the top of her head, and I’m shocked at his affection. Then he pulls way back and grabs his things roughly as if that will negate the moment. I’m guessing he’s afraid to be a dad. I know the type. But he’s got it down pat.
I turn back to Rory and catch his eye. We don’t hug or give platitudes about everything happening for a reason. I simply say, “I see you too, Kilt. And you’ll be fine.”
