Alli:on my way.
Chapter 50
Alli
I’m scrolling through Amazon, searching for a matcha mix that doesn’t taste like straight-up syrup. The one I bought from the local Asian store was way too sweet, and my backup purchase failed me. I can’t believe I’ve avoided matcha for this long. The whisk and bowl really do make a difference in how good it tastes.
I’m snapped back into reality before I add a new tumbler to my cart when I hear a knock on the door.
“Honey, your boyfriend is here,” my mom shouts, far too casual for someone dropping that kind of bomb. She’s already on her way out with the rest of the family, everyone grabbing coats and scarves like it’s a military operation to go for a walk in the park.
I scramble up, nearly knocking my blanket off my body.
Jared finds me in the living room, standing in the doorway like he doesn’t know where to go. His hands are stuffed in the pockets of his hoodie, snow still dusting his shoulders, cheeks pink from the cold.
I know I invited him over, but it suddenly feels like we’re two awkward teenagers on their first date, unsure of what to do with each other.
Do I wave hi? Invite him in? Offer him Hot Cheetos like I’m some kind of weirdo who keeps them for guests?
“You just going to stand there all day?”
I tip my head, biting back a smile. “I’m not the one showing up like I’m not sure where to sit.”
His shoulders shake with a quiet chuckle as he adjusts his hoodie, hands still buried inside. “Was I supposed to bring balloons or something?”
“Balloons aren’t necessary.”
“Damn, guess I’ll need to return the confetti.” He smirks, the sound of his chuckle following him as he steps further inside. “Where was everyone going?”
“Out for a walk.”
“All of them?”
“It’s my mom,” I explain, shrugging slightly. “Group activities are mandatory after the holidays.”
“Oh, that’s right. The holiday fun agenda.” His smirk widens into a full-blown grin, and even now, after countless kisses and shared moments, my heart does this ridiculous flip like it’s all new again. He kicks off his shoes casually, the same way he always does when he’s making himself cozy. Then he sinks across from me onto the couch, legs stretched out, head tipped back against the cushion, completely at ease.
It feels easy, like we’ve always belonged in this space together.
“I’m sorry I missed going to brunch with you and the family,” he says, breaking the silence. He leans forward, pressing a kiss to my forehead. It feels so effortless. “Did your aunt freak out?”
I laugh, more at the absurdity of it than anything. “She did not go,” I pause after every word. “My mom told her to keep her distance.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.” I rest my head on his shoulder. “My mom’s just tired of dealing with her sister being so uptight and judgmental. Apparently, I wasn’t her only target that night. So, my mom told her to pry less.”
“What about Evelyn? You two okay?”
I sigh, my fingers fiddling with the sleeve of his hoodie. “Cousins will fight and hold grudges.” I let that thought settle for a few minutes. “But we’ll always come back to each other. Just… give us time."
“Is she seriously upset with you?”
I pause, the words sticking in my throat. “She was. It’s about something I didn’t know how to handle. Her mom’s been a mess lately, and Evelyn’s stuck in the middle, dealing with the tension while the rest of the family’s just tired of it.” I chew my cheek, my voice softening as I lean in closer. “She’s pissed, but… it’s more complicated. I think she’s just giving me space to figure things out.”
“And how does that make you feel?”
I shrug, but there’s a heaviness in the way I carry myself now. “I’m not really sure. I just know family is… family, you know? We’re not always perfect, but I’m here for her, and I know she’ll be there for me too. Eventually.”
