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“It smells delicious. Thank you.” I smile at them. They may not realize it, but if they wouldn’t have invited us, Tristan and I would probably be eating some crappy junk food or reheated dinner we got earlier in the day in one of our rooms at the inn since everything is closed tonight.
“Of course. We always have room at our table for friends,” Bianca smiles.
I nod, looking at Lex across from me. She must sense my mood because the smile she gives me is full of understanding.
We eat and talk, loud chatter and joking taking place all around the dining room. After dinner, Tristan and I help Lex clear the table and bring dessert. I pause before entering while my brother takes his seat again.
“I’m going to pretend you made this red velvet cake for me.” I arch a brow as I look at Lex.
“Hmmm…think what you’d like,” she shrugs coyly.
“Oh, I will. Thank you for tonight, by the way.”
“You don’t need to thank me.” She shakes her head with a small smile. “I would refuse for you and Tristan to be alone on such an important holiday.”
“I wouldn’t want to spend it with anyone else. I need you to know that.” I stare into her eyes.
“I do.” She squeezes my arm with her free hand as she balances the plate with the cake in her other. “Let’s go overindulge in sweets and regret it tomorrow.”
Chuckling, we head back to the dining room and place the dessert plates on the table.
“It’s not pumpkin flan, but it is cream cheese flan, my specialty.” Bianca smiles warmly and begins slicing the flan while Lex cuts the cake.
As much as I’d like to steal a kiss from Lex, I’m enjoying spending time with her family. Thankfully, no one mentions my parents throughout the evening. It’s like a spoken understanding that we shall not bring up. I can only imagine such a tight-knit family doesn’t understand how parents can leave on vacation for the holidays without considering their children, but our nucleus is far from the true meaning of family.
When it’s time for us to go, I shake Lex’s dad’s hand and hug her grandmother and mom.
“You boys come back tomorrow for lunch. Both of you,” Bianca winks at us.
“We’ll be here,” Tristan promises, slinking his arm around my neck. “Thank you again.” He gives her another hug.
Tristan waits for me by the car while I stand on the porch with Lex.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” I hold her hand.
“Goodnight.” She smiles.
“You’re staying here?”
“Yeah, that way we can wake up together and exchange gifts.”
I step closer to her. “Good, good. Tomorrow night, if you’re free, spend time with me.”
She nods, and as I inch forward, Tristan hollers, “It’s cold as heck. Unlock the car, lover boy.”
“I’m going to kill him,” I whisper.
Lex giggles and places her hand on my chest, over my beating heart. “Go on. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I nod, walking backward. I almost slip on a patch of ice and push my arms out to find my balance. Lex laughs, holding her middle.
“Watch where you’re going,” she yells.
“Ha, ha.” I shake my head in embarrassment but smile. This feels like a new beginning for us, one I wished for many times.
Once I’m pulling out of her driveway, Tristan says, “Her family is the best. It’s worth visiting Hartville just to see them. Sometimes I wish ours was like that, but I gave up on that dream a long time ago.”
Silence settles in the car, each of us in our own heads. He’s right. I gave up on having a close relationship with my parents when I was a teenager.
