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Maggie McCrae, a renowned violinist from New York, entered with her husband, Drake, and their twins. The loving way Drake looked at her and their children spoke volumes about their relationship.
Behind them, Andrea Locke, a diminutive woman with striking jet-black hair and dark gray eyes that seemed to absorb the light around her, added an enigmatic presence to the gathering. Andrea, like me, was a stray in this sea of familial bonds, brought together by the magnetic pull of the McCrae clan.
London whispered Andrea was Blaze’s high school crush. This news blindsided me. A pang of discomfort twisted my stomach, and my smile froze momentarily.
Stop it!
I reminded myself that I was only here until the roads were safe to travel again.
But little did it help stop the flare of irrational jealousy I felt as I watched Blaze hug Andrea.
He was just being polite; I knew that. Still, I couldn’t shake the sudden, ridiculous urge to stake some kind of claim.
Before I could act on that foolish impulse, I felt a gentle hand on my arm.
“Hey, you okay?” It was London, her expression softly understanding.
I nodded, trying to play it cool. “Yeah, of course! Just a lot going on with everyone arriving.”
London smiled, a knowing look in her eyes. “It’s a lot, for sure. Especially when you’re not used to our crazy clan.” She lowered her voice conspiratorially. “Between you and me, I think my brother’s pretty smitten with you. So don’t worry about Andrea. She’s ancient history.”
I laughed, feeling myself relax. “Good to know.” Impulsively, I pulled London into a quick hug. “Thanks,” I whispered.
“Anytime,” she whispered back.
Across the room, Blaze caught my eye, giving me a private little smile before getting drawn back into conversation with one of his nieces.
I hoped London was right. Whatever history Blaze had with Andrea, it seemed to be far in the past. And the way he kept glancing my way, as if to ensure I was okay, told me everything I needed to know.
But deep down, a small voice wondered: If Blaze still harbored feelings for Andrea, where would that leave us? The thought was unsettling, but I resolved not to let it dampen the festive spirit. After all, I was here to enjoy Christmas, not to get entangled in what might have been. I took a deep breath, ready to navigate the complexities of the day with a smile, determined not to let old flames or potential rivalries cast a shadow over the holiday cheer.
ELEVEN
BLAZE
Finding Andrea Lockehere was like stumbling across a chapter from my past I’d forgotten I’d bookmarked. She was this bright presence in high school - cheerleader, popular, yet never unkind. My nerdy teenage self had a major thing for her, a crush that felt as intense as anything could at that age. But we’d never been together, and she’d always been with someone else.
Now, here she was, stepping into the McCrae Christmas gathering, a blast from the past in the middle of my present. As I approached her, almost magnetically drawn, she turned, her face lighting up with recognition. “Blaze!” Her greeting was warm, her hug that familiar, slightly distant gesture of old acquaintances reconnecting.
“Andrea,” I replied, patting her back before glancing at Aunt Theresa, seeking some clue as to why Andrea was here.
“Andrea moved back to town last year,” my aunt explained. “But her mom’s away on a cruise over the holidays, and it didn’t seem right that Andrea would be all alone when we always have room for one more.”
I remembered hearing about Andrea’s move to Sacramento after graduation and that she’d gotten married, but I didn’t see a ring on Andrea’s hand. She must have caught my quick glance down or read the question on my face.
“My husband and I divorced right before Christmas last year.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” I stuck my hands in my pockets, waiting for something else to say. “I’ll bet your mom’s glad you’re home. I’m sure she missed you.”
“She did,” Andrea agreed, but her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “And we enjoyed last Christmas together. This year, though … well, my mom started dating this guy a few months ago, and he surprised her with a cruise for the two of them.”
“Andrea happened to be at the dentist’s office the same day I went in,” Theresa said. “We got to talking, and when she mentioned her mom leaving two days before Christmas, I invited her to join us today.”
“And I really appreciate it, Mrs. McCrae.”
“Theresa,” my aunt said with a smile. “Please.”
Then Paris nudged me, her expression urgent, and I realized Trisha was watching us from across the room. Damn. I hadn’t considered how this might look to her, how she might misinterpret this blast from my past.
