Sierra stares down at the plate in her hands, and I rub her back, kissing her forehead as she looks up at me gratefully.
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t think…” Her words trail off when the sound of the front door opening fills the room.
“Sorry I’m late, Laura, the damn roads have been closed again. I swear, every year it gets worse.”
The sound of heavy footsteps in the hallway makes me stiffen, preparing to see someone exactly like my father when the door opens.
Instead, I’m pleasantly surprised.
A man with wild dark hair and a friendly smile fills the doorway, and his eyes widen in surprise at the sight of me and Sierra.
“I’m late, aren’t I?” he groans, holding his hand out to me. “Hey, I’m Raymond, but everyone calls me Ray. You must be the man of the house.”
His eyes twinkle as he glances at Sierra, giving her a wave.
“Hello, Miss.”
I like him immediately, but when I see the look in Mom's eyes I know it doesn’t matter.
This guy is much more than a friend.
“Nice to meet you, Ray.” I smile, sliding an arm around Sierra. “This is my…” I stare down at Sierra, who bites her lip and flushes scarlet. “Fiancée.”
There’s a clatter of plates crashing together, and Mom cries out.
“What?!”
“Yeah, it just kind of happened…” I rub the back of my neck as Ray claps his hands together.
“Well, that’s great news. Congratulations to the both of you.”
Mom's eyes fill with tears as she rushes around the table, sweeping the two of us into a group hug.
“You too, Ray,” I say with a chuckle, offering a hand out for him to join the hug.
Mom buries her head in his chest, and he kisses her forehead, exactly how I do with Sierra.
“This calls for a celebration!” Mom declares, wringing her hands together. “I’ll check if we have any champagne. We may have some left…”
Sierra's phone buzzes, and her smile fades when she stares down at it, motioning to me that she is taking the call outside.
“Excuse me, guys, I’ve got to get this.”
Mom is searching through the kitchen like a woman possessed, and Ray chuckles.
“It’s all go in here, isn’t it?”
I watch Sierra walk outside, her hair whipping around her as she covers her free ear to hear the caller better. Her brow furrows, and she stops suddenly, turning to face me.
Something is wrong.
“Is she okay, honey?” Mom asks, placing her hand on my arm gently.
I shake my head, trying to ignore the twisting in my stomach that tells me something is definitely off.
“I tell you what, why don’t I go to the store and pick up some champagne to go with these delicious cakes?” Ray suggests.
Mom agrees.
