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He wraps his arms around my back, pulling me in closer. “Me too.”
I pull back with a laugh as the group starts hooting and hollering. I lean my head up against Mack’s shoulder and take in the scene around me, surrounded by the people I love most. I think this is what genuine happiness feels like. Sometimes you don’t fit in the family you’re born into. Sometimes it takes a group of dysfunctional weirdos to find your place.
Mack kisses up my neck to my ear from behind. “So…can we get out of here or what?”
Epilogue
Three Months Later
Mack
“Where do you want the potatoes, mom?” I ask as I walk into the kitchen.
She points to the stove. “There, can you grab a couple bottles of wine from the basement? The ham is almost ready.”
“Sure,” I say, turning to Thea. “Do you want red or white?”
She lowers her eyebrows giving me that look of hers.
I bop her nose. “White, right. Why did I even ask?”
Declan and Addy arrive only a few minutes after us, and we’re all snacking on the appetizers instead of waiting to sit down to eat. My mom swats my hand away when I try to grab one of Thea’s chocolate chip cookies.
“Those are for dessert,” she scolds.
Trevor arrives a little late with his usual bottle of Scotch. It’s a Christmas tradition. And also, he can’t cook for shit, so it’s the only thing we trust him to bring.
He hugs my mom before leaning back in surprise when he sees Amanda chatting with Thea. “What the fuck are you doing here?” he asks.
She gives him a bratty smile. “My parents are in Paris. What’s your excuse?”
“My parents don’t love me.”
“Jesus, Trevor!” I laugh.
He looks at me all innocent like. “What? She started it.”
My mom comes up behind them both and squeezes their shoulders. “All are welcome at our house for Christmas. Now, let’s eat!”
Nobody is going to argue with that. Pretty shortly after we’re all talking over each other with our mouths full of food.
“So,” Amanda chimes in. “Is it a for sure no on the joint weddings? Because, I mean, how often do twins get engaged at the same time. It’d be cheaper if we combined it into one epic party.”
I place my hand on Thea’s thigh and give it a squeeze. “I’m not worried about the cost as long as Thea’s happy.”
“You two are so gross,” Trevor pipes up.
Amanda gives him a dirty look. “You’re just jealous because it’d take a miracle for someone to want to marry you.”
I tune the rest of the conversations out, turning to Thea. “Speaking of finances…”
She rolls her eyes. “How about we save that conversation for after the holidays?”
“I thought we agreed you’d quit before the new year?” I ask even though I know it’s bullshit. In the meantime, I’ve been calling in almost every night so she’s not available for any other callers.
She laughs, knowing I won’t be able to get away with it. “I need to work, Mack.”
“Can’t you just sell jewelry online or something? Ted and Joe’s wives both do that. Besides, I already told you that you don’t need to work.”
