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“Without asking for my permission?” Jude let go of me. “Carly,” he yelled. “This is a family holiday.”
“Emmie’s eating with us,” Cassie reminded him.
“What?” His tone and demeanor made my stomach churn. “Carly!” Jude shouted. “Emmie lives here.”
“I know,” Cassie said. “Sorry, Emmie. I didn’t mean you weren’t family.”
I poured myself another glass of prosecco. I had a feeling this perfect family dinner was about to become a clusterfuck. The vein in Jude’s neck pulsed, and he looked as if he wanted to punch something. He went from charming to scary real fast.
“What’s wrong?” Carly entered the room, wearing a gorgeous brown, leather dress and matching stiletto boots. She could have been a model with her perfect makeup and flawlessly blown-out, sleek hair. “Why are you shouting? I was having a glass of wine with Luke and Grace.”
“You told Cassandra she could invite Josh to dinner without consulting me?” Jude yelled. “The last time I fucking checked this was my house.”
“Cassie?” Carly’s eyes widened. “I told you that it was okay with me as long as your father said Josh could come to dinner. Jude, I didn’t tell her he could come.”
“Don’t freak out,” Cassie said. “It’s not like we don’t have enough food.”
“That’s not the point.” Jude picked up his glass and chugged his vodka. “Josh is an employee, and you know I don’t like strangers in the house.”
“He’s not a stranger.” When Cassie glanced at me, the meaning wasn’t lost. Jude had invited me into his home twenty minutes after finding me trespassing in the stables. I was a stranger.
“This is unacceptable,” Jude said.
“He’s my friend,” Cassie said. “Mom and I are going away this weekend, and then we’re leaving for Brazil. I wanted to see him before I left, and I knew you wouldn’t let me leave this house today, so I asked him to have dinner with us.”
“Why do you need to see him if he’s just a friend?” Jude asked.
“Alright, Daddy, we all know you’re not stupid. I’m seeing Josh. I didn’t tell you because I wasn’t sure if it was serious. I’m still not, but Josh said I should tell you.”
“Did he?” Jude poured another drink for himself as Luke came into the room.
“Daddy, please don’t make a big deal about this.” Cassie moved closer to Jude. “I’m not getting married. We’re dating. It’s casual.”
“I don’t even want to know what that means.” Jude slammed his glass on the bar, causing Cassie and I to jump. “Your guest is here.” He nodded toward the window.
“Is everything okay?” Luke looked out the window. “Oh.”
“My daughter thought it was a good idea to ambush me today.” Jude turned to Luke. “Should we take it out on Josh?”
“Daddy, don’t do this today,” Cassie begged. “He’s a friend. Can he please stay for dinner?”
“I don’t like being forced into things,” Jude said. “You and your mother went behind my back and plotted against me. I should cancel your trip to New York.”
“Daddy, please.” Cassie appeared anxious, or maybe it was my anxiety that I was pushing off as hers, but I honestly didn’t think she did anything to betray Jude. “Josh is on his way up the walkway.”
I didn’t like Josh, but Cassie did. I didn’t want their holiday to be ruined.
“Jude,” Carly said.
“Don’t.” He pointed at her. “You knew she was trying to manipulate us. Now I have to deal with her guest.”
“Please don’t make him leave,” Cassie pouted. “I’m sorry. I should have told you sooner.”
“What do you want me to do?” Luke asked.
When Cassie’s eyes filled with tears something made me intervene. I couldn’t bear to see them fighting on such a special day. Maybe it was because I had never seen a family celebrate the holiday before. Grace worked so hard, and everyone was in a festive mood, and we were standing by this enormous tree that most people would love to have. I would have given anything to have this life when I was growing up.
“Jude,” I said, my voice trembling. “I don’t see the harm in letting Cassie’s friend have dinner with us.”
