Page 27 of Imperfectly Ours

“And see if they want to come for Christmas Eve and Christmas Eve preparations,” I added.

“Seriously?”

“Seriously.” I reached for her hand and slipped my fingers into hers. Her brows knitted together for a moment, and then a small smile spread across her lips.

My mom would be extremely pleased if Tenley came. As long as no one nearly died like what had happened at Thanksgiving. Or told her that we were dating.

Well, that second thing was more for my sanity than to keep my mom happy.

Though, when her family and mine got together tomorrow, that would only add to the convoluted mess that was already in existence. Her parents knew, mine did not. Her parents didn’t know that mine didn’t know, and my parents obviously didn’t know that her parents knew.

Crap.

That’s exactly what Tenley had been upset about. Cautioning me that if they came, there would be a very highly likely chance of the information getting out.

And I had no idea how I was going to fix that if it did.

We rounded the base of the tree as the sunset cast a soft, orange glow over the usually crisp, white snowy town square. The bells tinkled around us, Christmas magic in the air. Roasted turkeys and hams sizzled in a couple passing booths, mixing in with the strong peppermint and hot chocolate smell that had settled amongst the crowd. Maybe there was a way to still sneak off to my house before the night was finished.

“Weston?” Tenley’s voice pierced my thoughts.

“Hmmm?”

“We should try and disappear after you finish putting the lights up.”

I laughed, loudly.

She frowned. “What is that for?” She broke through my chuckle, and I smiled, kissing her forehead.

“I was literally thinking that exact same thing,” I replied, and her frown slipped into a smile.

“Oh, good,” she whispered, and stopped walking. My gaze landed on her parents and Grandparents, both women bent over some trinkets at the little booth they were standing in front of.

“I don’t think they are too worried about you,” I said, watching them, and she nodded.

“Let’s go extend the invitation. Something tells me they already knew where I was,” she grumbled. I had to agree, especially as her dad’s hollow face turned toward us and a strained smile spread across it. He one hundred percent knew where she’d danced off to.

Keeping my hand intertwined with hers, I gently tugged her forward. We closed the distance with her family, and Charlie coughed, bringing their attention to him. Then slowly, their gaze followed his and landed on us as we approached.

“Oh, good. Tenley, the green or the blue?” Her Grandma snatched Tenley’s arm and tugged her out of my grasp, pointing at a little, handmade, glass ornament.

Tenley pointed to the blue one. “I like that one.”

“Perfect. Are you two hungry? We should grab some food before they light the tree.” Irene continued.

“I am a little,” Tenley hesitantly said.

“I could definitely eat,” I replied, giving her reassurance that it was fine.

“Oh, wonderful. I’m starving!” She gushed immediately, and I smiled. “Plus, we want to talk to you about something.”

Irene hooked Tenley’s arm and we were off.

“You’ll give me a list of what we need to bring to help with the preparations then?” Rosemary asked for the hundredth time. I nodded again. “And Tenley is going with you for a little longer tonight? To help with the lights.”

“If she’d like.” I lifted a brow, and she nodded in agreement.

“Well, at least find some time to freshen up, dear. Your hair is an utter mess.” Rosemary hissed quietly through her teeth, thinking I couldn’t hear her. I clenched my jaw as Tenley quickly ran her hands over her hair.

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