Chapter14
Christmas
San Diego,California
Grady stepped backand admired his new smoker in action. Two more hours and he’d have the perfect Christmas turkey. Two days early, because he wanted to have a ridiculous turkey feast before Priya and herparentsarrived.
She’d suggested they could fly out on Christmas Day, arriving after he’d had a chance to do the traditional morning stuff with hismother.
His mother wouldn’t hear of it, bless her WASP-y soul. “How do Sikhs celebrate Christmas?” she’d askedearnestly.
“Theydon’t,Mom.”
“I’m sure I saw some men in turbans in the paradelastyear.”
He’d rolledhis eyes lovingly. “I’m sure you did, too. That’s different. That’s a community thing. I’m telling you that the Mattus have never celebrated Christmas in a serious way. It’s just not a thing for them, and please don’t make thisweird.”
“I wouldnever.”
You already are. “I know you mean well and you are excited to meet them. And they are looking forward to meetingyou,too.”
“Tell them to come out before Christmas. It willbefine.”
Priya had said the same thing, and he believedher, so he forced himself torelax.
A knock sounded on his gate, then it swung open. Wyatt and Tegan came in carrying beerandwine.
“Welcome,” he said, shaking Wyatt’s hand and giving Tegan a one-armed hug. “How were thestores?”
“Busy. Heads up, yourmotherand—“
Before Wyatt could finish that thought, his mom burst through the gate, her hands in the air. “Hello!Surprise!”
Surprise indeed, because behind her was Priya—and behind his love were an older man and a woman, clearly herparents.
Grady strode toward them, hands outstretched forPriya.
She squeezed her fingers around his as he stopped in front ofher. “Hi.”
“Hey,”hesaid.
Can I kiss you in front of your parents?he asked with his eyes. She pushed up on her toes and brushed her lipsagainsthis.
“Thisisa surprise,” he murmured as sherockedback.
“Your mother’s idea,” she whispered through asmile.
“Of course it was.” He cleared his throat and stepped past her to offer her father his hand. “Sanjay, nice to see you again.” Nextwas a hug for her mother. “How was your flight, Harpreet? Did my mother accompany you on itaswell?”
Nina Mills just laughed, and he gave her a quick hug, too. “What didyoudo?”
“Merry Christmas, mydarling.”
“Mmm-hmm. I’ve just cooked a giant turkey, Mom. I can offer my guests mashed potatoes and green beans fordinner.”
Harpreet laughed, too. “We like green beans.But actually, your mother asked us what we like on the way, and we stopped at the store for somegroceries.”
Priya stepped between them and Grady wrapped his arms around her to keep from throttling his mother. Also, hugging Priya was the best, and they didn’t get to do it that often.Soon, though. She was taking a leave of absence from the news network to work on a documentary about theborder between Tijuana and San Diego, and would be living with him full-time until the end of thesummer.
