Alex wraps an arm loosely around my back. “As you all figured out, this is Finley.” He gestures to the group, starting on the left and working his way around their half-circle. “Finley, this is my brother Tyler, my dad, my mom, and my sister Mallory. Grant and Eloise will be here on Christmas Eve.”
I try to hide my relief that his younger brother and his girlfriend aren’t here yet. If I decide not to leave, at least I’ll have a couple of days’ reprieve until the drama starts. “Mr. and Mrs. King, thank you so much for letting me stay in your home,” I say. “You have no idea how much this means to me.”
Mrs. King’s eyes widen, then she’s smiling again. “We’re delighted to have you, and please, none of this Mrs. King stuff. Call me Valerie. Please, and this is Bob, or Dr. Bob as a lot of the people around town call him.”
I had no idea Alex’s father was a doctor, and I give Alex a questioning look.
“It’s because Dad takes care of so many of the town’s animals,” Alex says.
So, he’s a vet. Why didn’t I ask him these important questions in the car instead of getting pissed?
“You’ll have to forgive us for being so fascinated by you,” Valerie says as she ushers me to the opening at the back of the entryway. “We didn’t even know you existed until Alex told us you were coming, but we’re delighted you’re here.”
“Thank you. You have a lovely home,” I say, glancing back at the wood staircase.
She smiles. “Thank you. It’s been in the family for three generations. We do the best we can to keep it up.”
We enter a large kitchen with white cabinets and white marble and butcher block counters. It’s not new or fancy. It’s older, but in a classic way. Based on the clutter on the counter, it’s definitely not a show kitchen. There’s a stack of papers at one end and an assortment of Christmas tins on another section. A large pot is on the large gas range, and multiple containers sit next to the stove. The kitchen looks lived in, and I instantly feel at home.
“Come in,” she says enthusiastically. “You must be starving after flying all day. I have a pot of chili on the stove. We were just waiting for you two to get here.” She stops and gives me a questioning glance. “Oh, dear. I realize I didn’t ask Alex if you liked chili.”
Alex grunts like he disagrees with what she said. Does he think she purposely didn’t ask him? Or maybe he doesn’t like chili, and he’s upset she made it.
But she’s still looking at me, waiting for an answer.
“I love chili,” I say enthusiastically. “I often make a big pot and portion it out so I can bring it to work to eat during the week.”
“You bring your own lunch to work?” Mrs. King asks in amazement, and I can’t help wondering if this is a test. “What do you do for work?”
I prepare myself for the derision or disdain that’s sure to come. I try not to look defensive when I say, “I’m a barista at a coffee shop in the mornings and early afternoons, and then I work as a phlebotomist in the late afternoons and evenings. I usually bring food to eat either during my breaks or between my shifts.”
Both women look at me like I just announced I’m an alien. I’m already planning to excuse myself to look up the next flight out of here when both of them break out into the brightest smiles I’ve ever seen. They’re practically giddy.
“Well, aren’t you a delight!” his mother says, closing the space between us and pulling me into a hug.
I’m briefly stunned before hugging her back. At least she doesn’t think I’m beneath her. But that still doesn’t explain their enthusiasm. Maybe they’re just thrilled to have a barista in the house?
“Are you wanting a coffee hookup?” I ask with a laugh as she pulls away. “Because even without an espresso machine, I can make just about any coffee drink you’d like.”
Mallory looks excited at that prospect, then points at me. “I’m definitely going to take you up on that. In fact, tomorrow morning we’re going to get whatever you need. But first,” she looks at her mother, then back at me, “we have to know how in the world you ended up dating Alex.”
Alex is standing in the doorway talking to his brother, but I catch him glancing at me with an anxious look. He doesn’t think his brothers will buy it, but I’m still going with the story I’d proposed. I won’t pretend to be someone I’m not.
“Alex is a regular customer at my coffee shop. It’s on the first floor of his office building, so we see each other every day. A few months ago, my cat got sick, and Alex noticed that I was feeling kind of down and invited me to meet him after I got off work and tell him what was going on. So, I told him about my cat, and…” I end with a shrug as though it’s no big deal. “The rest is history.”
They stare at me in silence for several seconds, and then his mother glances toward Alex, flushing with pride, and mutters under her breath, “Thank God you finally came to your senses.”
I’m lightheaded with relief. His mother and sister don’t care that I don’t have an MBA or a business suit. The jury’s still out on his dad and brother, but I’ll take what I can get.
Valerie takes my hand and squeezes. “Aren’t you a blessing?”
While I’m relieved they don’t think I’m beneath them or their son, I now feel guilty she thinks we’re really dating.
“You’re laying it on a little thick, aren’t you, Mom?” Alex asks dryly, giving her a look I can’t read.
“You hush,” his mother says, as she picks up a large wooden spoon on the counter to stir the chili in the pot. “Let me bask in the moment.”
“Don’t embarrass, Finley,” he says, still sounding unamused.
