Trying not to look too obvious, I take slow but deliberate steps toward the eggnog end of the table. It doesn’t prove to be too difficult though. My parents are too busy gushing over Killian’s presence and that my mom caught us kissing to pay any attention to me.
They always loved Killian. It broke their hearts when I told them we broke up. But they understood our reasons. I always guessed my mom hoped we’d get back together someday but I didn’t think she’d been thinking about it so much she was devising some devious plan to make it happen.
While my dad drills Killian for all the details on how business at the lodge is going and my mom raptly listens to every answer, I savor every sip of from the mug with holly and ivy etched into the glass.
On the upside, comforted by the familiar flavor like a hug from the past, the night doesn’t seem so scary anymore.
“Well, we should probably start eating before everything gets cold,” Mom says and when she takes her seat next to Dad, Killian pulls out a chair for me across the table from them and then sits beside me.
“How many cups of eggnog did you get down while I wasn’t looking?” Killian whispers with a smile.
I’m not sure whether or not I whisper back, “Not nearly enough.”
Under the table, Killian squeezes my thigh in a reassuring way as my dad carves and serves slices of turkey.
We’re not two bites into the meal before my dad turns to me and asks, “So, Aimee. How’s work?”
Even though I knew the question was coming, I’d hoped it wouldn’t be so soon. Panic thumps in my chest and settles as a hard lump in my stomach.
“Um… Mom, did you do something different to the stuffing this year? It’s positively divine.” My diversion won’t last but I try anyway.
Killian gives my thigh another squeeze and leans over to say in my ear, “It’s gonna be okay. I’m right here.”
Before Mom can answer me, Dad continues, “How’s the new office? Garrett told me they were planning to do some remodeling in the fall.”
“I don’t know,” I say because the remodeling wasn’t quite finished when HR called me into their offices two weeks ago to give me the news.
Dad chuckles uneasily, taken off guard by my answer. “How do you not know? They should have been done by now. Did they stick you in one of the old offices? I could give Garrett a call—”
“No,” I practically shout. It startles my mom enough to make her drop her fork. “Don’t call Garrett.”
“It’s no problem. Why don’t—”
“Because I don’t work there anymore,” I blurt out then promptly bite my lips together.
The room falls into a dead silence. My dad sits back in his chair with his hands folded over his stomach. “Explain, please.”
Killian takes my hand and holds it in his lap. I’m surprised at the calm that comes over me as he caresses the back of my palm and fingers. With him by my side, I find my courage and finally admit to my dad, “They fired me.”
“They did what? I swear…” Dad moves to stand mumbling about not caring that it’s Christmas Eve, he’s going to fix this.
“Dad, no. It wasn’t a wrongful termination or anything. Even if it was, I don’t want the job back.”
He pauses with his hands planted flat on the table. “Aimee. This isn’t an opportunity you give up on. One call—”
“Please, Dad.” I gesture asking him to sit back down.
Reluctantly, he does but with a concerned and confused wrinkle set deeply on his brow.
“I’m sorry, Dad. I appreciate the trouble you went to to get me the job. Really, I do. It just wasn’t a good fit.”
He harrumphs. “It was a perfect fit. Your qualifications checked every box.”
“Except one.” I swallow the lump in my throat. “I didn’t want it.”
Wow. I’ve thought about telling him that so many times but I never thought I’d do it.
This time, I squeeze Killian’s hand. I couldn’t have done it without his encouragement and support. Not without him by my side.
