I snapped out of my thoughts and looked up. My cheeks flushed. “Uh, yeah, definitely,” I replied, trying to recover while Gina bit her bottom lip, looking guilty for not filling her mom in on just how unsimilar my and Gina’s work life situation had been. “I mean, work has been … busy. I’ve been accepting a lot of freelance writing projects. But I’m excited for some downtime before getting back to the job hunt, looking for something full-time in the new year.”
Mrs. Hutton raised an eyebrow, clearly sensing my hesitation. “You still haven’t found anything permanent, huh?”
I wasn’t sure how much I wanted to admit about my frustrations, especially in front of Gina’s mom. I didn’t want her to think that I was failing or that Gina might be struggling under the responsibility of keeping us and the apartment afloat. Because she wasn’t. I was pulling my weight no matter what I needed to do to make it happen.
I gave a small shrug and forced a smile. “I’m still looking. But you know, keeping my options open.” I cleared my throat, trying to let the subject die. “I’m sure something will come along soon enough.”
Mrs. Hutton smiled again, this time softer, her eyes kind. “You always were a smart one. I’m sure the right thing is just around the corner.”
Gina gave a tiny snort. “Or a rich husband.”
I bumped her with my hip. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
But the joke felt hollow. And no matter how hard I tried to focus on the gingerbread, the conversation, or even the familiar thrum of holiday anticipation in this house, Josh was still there. Literally, he was just above my head and impossible to ignore.
Gina’s eyes lit up with mischief as she sensed the switch. “She’s been on quite a few dates lately. My friends have been setting her up.”
“Aw, that’s so fun.”
Some of the time.
Instead of saying that, I winced inwardly and plastered a smile on my face. “Well, uh, they’ve been … nice. Nice guys, you know? Just not really …”
Mrs. Hutton smiled, clearly amused. “Ah, got it. You never know. I hope that Gina might go on some dates and settle down before I’m too old to enjoy her wedding and grandbabies.”
“Mom, I’m twenty-five.”
“I married your father at twenty-four. It’s not crazy.”
“It’s a different world,” Gina replied dryly. “Chill out. Put those expectations on your older child.”
She sighed. “I’ve given up on him. Josh always goes off and does what I least expect.”
“Are you talking about me?”
Josh made his way down the steps, turning into the kitchen. None of us answered.
“Okay then. I’m headed out to meet up with some friends if anyone needs me.”
“Brielle was just telling us about how you took her to that fundraiser of yours at school recently.”
His eyebrows arched an inch high. “Oh, yeah. It was, uh, a really good time there, wrapping.” He glanced at me.
“Speed-wrapping.”
He chuckled. “Right. Surprised you want to admit to that when I beat you.”
“You said it wasn’t a competition.”
He rolled his eyes with a smile.
Gina cleared her throat. “Sounds like the most fun thing I’ve ever heard,” she said sarcastically.
I shrugged. “It was fun.”
“Yeah, it was good, until her date bailed on her for the night, and we went to my friend Matt’s house for holiday movies.”
“You went to his friend’s house with him?” Gina asked.
