“Yeah, I just miss you.”
She’s quiet for a moment. “I miss you too. I’ll call and check on you later, okay?”
“Yeah.”
“Love you.” But she hangs up before I can say it back.
I stuff my phone in my jeans pocket, take several deep breaths, then paste on a smile and head inside.
Everyone is in the kitchen except for Alex’s dad, who’s still at the clinic. Everyone looks up when I walk in, and I drop my gaze, hoping they don’t notice my red eyes.
“There you are,” Valerie says. “I wondered where you’d gone off too.”
“I told Mom you and Alex were probably spending some time alone,” Mallory says in a knowing voice.
My face heats with embarrassment twice over. First, that she thought we were having sex, and second, because Alex is probably gagging at the thought.
“But then Alex came down without you,” Valerie says. “Then we really wondered where you got off to, but then Tyler said you were outside talking to your friend.” She pauses. “You didn’t have to go outside, Finley. You’re welcome to use the office anytime you like.”
“Thanks,” I say, walking over to the island where everyone’s dishing up their bowls. “It sure smells good.”
“Help yourself,” she says.
I grab a bowl and add a scoop. I can feel Alex’s gaze on me, but I ignore him as I add some cheese to my chili then sit down at the table.
Alex tries to sit by me at the table. Maybe he thinks he needs to be the dutiful boyfriend, but Mallory slips into the chair beside me with a laugh before he can take a seat. “Sorry,” she says, sounding anything but. “You get her all the time. It’s my turn.”
Mallory and Valerie keep the conversation flowing, with Alex and Tyler chiming in only when prompted. Or when Alex aims something directly at me. I answer, hoping I’m coming across as normal. I need to get over this irrational hurt, or this won’t work. But I need more time.
Once we finish lunch, we start cleaning up, but Valerie shoos us away. “Alex, you and Finley take off for the market. Since it’s her first time, she’ll probably want the whole afternoon.”
The thought of being alone with Alex makes my stomach knot, so I blurt out, “Mallory, would you like to come with us?”
Her eyes light up, but then she glances at her brother. “I don’t want to be the third wheel on your date.”
“It’s not a date,” I say before Alex can respond. “We’re just shopping.”
She brightens again, though more cautiously. “Are you sure?”
“Of course.” I glance over at Alex. “Right?”
“Yeah,” he says evenly. He doesn’t look upset, but he doesn’t look happy, either.
“You know what?” Tyler cuts in, eyes locked with his brother. “I think I’ll come too.”
Valerie, Alex, and Mallory all start talking at once.
“What?” Valerie exclaims.
“When was the last time you went to the Christmas market?” Mallory demands.
“Why?” Alex growls, eyes blazing.
Tyler shrugs, looking his brother directly in the eye. “You all said caroling was fun last night, so I figure I might as well try the market this afternoon.”
The blood drains from my head. Is Tyler coming because he found me crying? Because he knows Alex ditched caroling?
“I think we should drive separate cars,” Alex says flatly. “In case you want to leave before Finley’s done shopping.”
