It took a minute before he replied,Well, I also hear you desperately wanted to see Pamela Bone there…
I snorted, hanging my head, and I hit call. He picked up with the tone in his voice like he was expecting me to. “I get it,” he said. “I’ve missed her complaining about Patrick down the street.”
“Oh, god. Do you remember how long she went on about the gopher and how it was in the garden because of him?”
“And it wasn’t even her garden?”
“Yes,” I laughed, relaxing back on the couch. It was a nice sofa… felt comfy, lived-on, worn-in. The one back at my place in Seattle had barely seen any action. I’d been here for a week, and Bridget’s place already felt like home. Even though I still only thought of it asBridget’s place.“I guess you know what that was actually about… I’m sorry. I’d thought Mom already knew.”
“Well, doesn’t sound like she found out from your conversation, so a nice save with Pam. Even though I’m hoping she doesn’t end up invited because of it.”
“I mean, likewise.”
“I guess Mom’s in for a real treat. Gotta thank you for doing the… legwork on this.”
“The legwork?” I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Seeing how she reacts. To, uh, you know, bringing someone around. She’s been having a rough time, but she’s been coming around. Suffice to say it’s a good thing you didn’t come for the first week.”
I blinked slowly. “She took a week to recover from the thought that I’d bring Bridget, and then she asked me to bring Bridget, when I wasn’t even planning to?”
“More or less. Honestly, I didn’t expect her be okay with it.”
I felt like I was losing my grip on reality. “I didn’t even need to bring Bridget. I mean, I’m glad she’s coming, but—why was this such a thing?”
“Universe works in funny ways. I think it’s for the best. Going to feel better bringing Sam around, even though she might have a heart attack.”
“I mean, I think that’s a little different.”
He laughed lightly. “Think it might be less different than you think.”
“Er… elaborate?”
“Should we do some introductions? Sam’s still here right now. I can pop you on video call.”
“Oh. Uh. Sure?”
I heard him turn away from the phone and call forSammy,which, I never thought I’d hear about my brother liking someone at all, let alone dating someone and using a pet name, but the universe worked in funny ways. He switched on the video, where he looked genuinely nervous. I guess it was his first time introducing a date after a lifetime of insisting he wasn’t interested.
“Hey,” he said. “That’s Bridget’s place?”
“It’s nice, right?” I turned the camera to give him a panorama.
“Oh, found yourself with a Christmas lover.”
“You don’t know the half of it,” I laughed. “She’s got Christmas music playing all the time… more jazz covers of them than anything else. It’s nice.”
“That bit suits you.”
“Ha. Well, we haven’t had to argue over the aux cord, let’s say.”
He grinned. “Cute.”
I didn’t get to protest that I was notcutebefore there was a movement, and Kevin turned to where my stomach floppedat the sight—a man with floppy blond hair and freckles, a grin that was pure sunshine, who pressed himself up against Kevin’s side. “Hey,” he said. “Finally getting to meet the legendary Vicky herself.”
“Oh—”
“This is Samuel,” Kevin said, and everything clicked all at once, and I felt like I got slapped in the face.
