Page 88 of Home for the Holidays

Iris stood and motioned for her parents to follow her. “I’ll show you where the fresh towels are kept.”

As soon as they were out of earshot, Zac turned to Heidi. “I don’t get it. She always made it seem like her parents were the coolest parents ever.”

Heidi was just as beside herself as Zac was. “I’m assuming there’s a little tension there still.” She let out a laugh under her breath. “Why did I invite them to stay for dinner?”

“Because you’re a good human.”

“I guess so.”

“Just wait until Evan comes back.”

“Did you warn him?” Heidi asked. “He’s going to want to leave immediately if not.”

“Nah, he’s not going anywhere.” Zac leaned his head back against the wall behind the breakfast nook. Again, Heidi could feel his happiness. It was a sensation she could get used to. He wasn’t staring at her through a screen on FaceTime, telling fibs about who he was dating, who he was living with, who he was,period. “What?” he asked, his eyes still closed. “I can feel you looking at me.”

“I’m proud of you. Not only for finally being honest with yourself but also for being honest with me. I couldn’t handle it anymore. I wanted to shake you and scream at you that it was okay. Whatever it was that was causing you to only be half of who you are wasokay.”

“Ma,” he whispered, his love for her evident in his tone.

“I’m proud of you. And of Evan.”

“I’m scared. But in an exciting way. A way I’ve never felt before. Does that make sense?”

“Oh, Zachary,” Heidi whispered. “It makes more sense to me than I think you could ever realize.”

“Ma?”

“Hmm?”

“Next time you and Iris are getting ready to fuck, can you put a hair tie on the doorknob or something?”

“Oh my god,” Heidi said as she stood and left the nook. “Moment ruined.”

CHAPTERFORTY

Moms. That’s it; that’s the text.

Within seconds, Stacey was FaceTiming her. “What is going on?”

“Oh, Stacey,” she whispered from the safety of Zac’s futon. She had locked herself up in his room the instant she decided she needed a break from her mom. “So much.”

“First of all, thank you for texting me to tell me you’re alive. I had to hear about the accident from Zac.”

“Sweet Jesus, he called you too?”

“Ofcoursehe called me, too!” Stacey rolled her eyes. “I’myour best friend. And your oldest friend. You are the worst communicator I’ve ever met. Especially for someone who preaches that good communication is the key to every great relationship.”

It was Iris’s turn to roll her eyes. “Whatever.”

“No, not whatever. Iris, you could have died. That’s not something I want to joke about. Ever.”

“Okay, okay,” she surrendered. “I’m sorry. I’ve been a mess, Stacey. Like, a literal hot mess express.”

“I know.”

“And now my fucking mom is here,” Iris whispered. “What the hell?”

“Mary showed up, hmm? Mom of the Year.”

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