“Alex took her to cut down a Christmas tree this morning, and they put it up in their room,” Barb chimes in.
Mirna’s lips pinch tighter. “And what book is that from?”
“That one’s actually true,” I say quickly. “He thought chopping down a tree at a Christmas tree farm might be on my list.” I angle the phone so she can see the little tree glowing in the corner.
Mirna studies it in silence, then asks, “So if you’re having fun, why do you want to come home?”
“Because of Grant,” I whisper, my heart aching all over again. “He’s really upset I’m here.”
“Sounds like that’s his problem,” Mirna says in disgust.
“Everyone’s upset,” I say. “And I already love Alex’s mom and sister so much…” My voice cracks as tears sting my eyes. “This is Grant’s family. I’m ruining his Christmas.”
They’re both quiet for a moment before Mirna asks, “Does Alex know you want to leave? Does he want you to?”
I sniff. “He knows, but he wants me to stay.”
A firm look fills her eyes. “Then you stay.”
“But he says he wants me to stay in case Eloise shows up.”
Mirna arches a brow. “The man who took you to a Christmas tree farm on Christmas Eve only wants you there in case his brother’s girlfriend shows up?”
A tear slips down my cheek. “I don’t know what to believe anymore.”
They’re both quiet again, then Mirna says, “Well, you can’t come home on Christmas Day. You need to stay until at least the day after.”
The thought of dragging this tension out makes my stomach churn. But I can stay in our room. Or wander around downtown. This is a Christmas town—surely something would be open. “Okay.”
Mirna offers a tight smile. “See how tonight and tomorrow go. If you still want to come home after that, we’ll work something out. Okay?”
Fresh tears spill over. “Thank you, Mirna.”
“But for what it’s worth,” she adds gently. “If Alex wants you to stay, you should stay.”
“Mirna…” My voice trembles.
“We love you,” she says simply.
“We sure do,” Barb chimes in.
Emotion squeezes my chest. “I love you guys too,” I manage through my tears. “Thank you.”
Maybe they’re right. Maybe I should stay. But wanting to and believing I belong here are two different things.
I stare at the phone. I told Alex I’d let him know when I’m done with my call, but I’m scared. Scared he changed his mind about me staying. Scared that his family will resent my presence. But fear never got me anywhere. I could wait for him to come up, or I could take charge and go down on my own.
I chose the latter.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Alex
Mom’s roped all of us into making dinner, but the tension’s so thick I feel like I’m wading through a swamp.
Grant’s still pissed, and I can’t shake the thought that most of his anger isn’t aimed at Finley—it’s at Eloise. I wasn’t exaggerating when I told Finley there was a good chance Eloise will show up this week. Grant and Eloise’s relationship has always been a revolving door.
I’m setting the table while Tyler and Grant chop vegetables for a salad. Dad sits at the island, nursing a drink, while Mom and Mal bustle around the stove. Finley’s been upstairs for more than a half hour, and though I promised her space, I’m two seconds from going upstairs to check on her when she appears in the doorway.
