Page 107 of Accidentally, Scandalously Yours

“She owns hundreds more like them, though,” Bradford says to his mother. “Kristen’s shoe collection rivals yours.”

Before I can stop myself, I say, “You love shoes?” I’m only a little horrified that I gushed this question with way more excitement than is really warranted, but I can talk shoes like Bradford and his brothers can talk the outdoors.

Ingrid’s eyes light up. “They’re my favorite part of an outfit.”

“Jesus,” Gage, one of Bradford’s younger brothers mutters as he joins us. Eyeing Bradford, he says, “Did you have to mention her shoes? There goes our night.”

“Hush, Gage,” Ingrid says but it’s clear she enjoys her son’s grumbling.

“He’s right,” Callan says, coming to stand next to his brother, a cheeky grin on his face as he looks at me. “Our mother will talk your ear off all night about shoes.”

I’ve met Gage and Callan at galas years ago, but only very briefly. And I never saw their senses of humor, which I really like so far. They’re both making me feel at ease.

“Well,” Ingrid says as Edmund and Hayden join our circle. “I imagine Kristen will welcome the conversation, just like Luna does.” She looks at Gage. “She’s going to be excited to meet her new aunt who shares her love of shoes. Goodness knows her uncles let her down when it comes to dress-ups.” She smiles at me. “It’ll be nice having another girl in the family after all these years of only testosterone.”

I know Luna to be Gage’s five-year-old daughter and laugh at the thought of these men trying to play dress-up with her.

Bradford bends his face to mine as the guys ask Gage about his daughter’s Christmas present wish list. “Would you like a drink?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

He takes a moment searching my face. “Are you ready for tonight?”

I smile. “More than you can imagine.”

“Bradford,” Gage interrupts us. “What are your plans for Christmas?”

“It’s Kristen’s birthday on Christmas Day,” Bradford says. “We haven’t discussed our plans yet.”

“Oh,” Ingrid says, “You must spend some of the day with us.” She’s looking at me. “We’d love to spoil you. It must be awful celebrating your birthday on Christmas Day.”

“We’ll discuss it and get back to you,” Bradford says, his tone communicating to his mother that she should not attempt to force a decision now.

“I’d love you to spoil me,” I say to Ingrid and I mean every word I say. “You’re right that it sucks to share my birthday with Christmas.”

“Great,” Ingrid says. “How does lunch at our place sound?”

Bradford’s giving me alet’s slow this downlook. I send back anI’m okay with thislook. His mother appears to know exactly what’s going on between us. I imagine she does. She’s been married for decades and has a large family with her husband. I suspect she and Edmund have shared thousands of these silent conversations.

Bradford is still makinglet’s hold oneyes at me, so in an effort to shush him, I say to his mom, “Lunch is perfect. It’ll give us time to hike in the morning.”

Callan’s brows pull together, as do pretty much everyone’s. “Hiking? On Christmas Day?”

I work hard to keep a straight face as I look at my husband who’s now giving me an amused look. “Your brother does love his hiking.”

Callan still looks confused. “Yeah, he does, but I would have thought he’d be more up for skiing than hiking.”

“Let’s save skiing for the 26th,” Gage says.

“You’re heading to Aspen?” Hayden asks.

Gage nods. “Yeah. I’ve got Luna this year while Shayla heads to Europe with her new partner, so I thought we’d spend a week there after Christmas.”

Before I can commit us to anything, Bradford says, “We’ll let you know.”

“I’m in,” Callan says. “Fuck knows, I need some down time. I’m wrecked after the last six months.”

Hayden scrolls his phone before saying, “Yeah, I’m in too. But probably only for a few days.”

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