“Happy holidays,” I say halfheartedly.
“Aunt Andi,” their munchkins call out in greeting.
“Come in. Gabby’s waiting,” I say.
“Celia, Robbie, yay, you’re here!” Gabby barrels toward the door.
“Hey.” Delia pulls me in for a hug. “Good to see you, honey.”
I nod in agreement, swallowing a barrage of emotions. “I didn’t realize how much I missed you until this moment.”
She kisses my cheek, and my emotions settle for the first time all day.
“Come on, give me your coats,” I tell James and Delia, the kids’ garments thrown on the floor on their way to play.
“Smells good,” Delia says, wandering toward the kitchen. “Where can I put this?” She grabs the casserole dish James has been holding.
“Slide it in the oven on the bottom rack.” As she does what I ask, I pour her a wine and glance at her husband. “James? Something to drink?”
“One beer, because I have the drive back later.”
We make small talk, remembering Mom and Dad.
“They never should have gone on that car trip,” Delia says, and I nod.
They made up their mind to drive to Florida and were hit by a semi.At least they were happy and in love,I’m thinking when the doorbell rings.
“Ooh.” Delia can’t help herself.
“Hi,” I mumble to Reid when I open the door.
He leans in and kisses me on the cheek. “Hi, you.”
I glance down at what he’s holding. “What is it?”
He winks. “S’mores bars. I found it on some mom blog. I know it’s not fancy, but Gabby will love it.”
“Of course, she rules your world. I warned you ... it’s not a good idea.”
“Not only her, someone else rules my world too.” His words are soft and meant only for me. He conveniently ignores my warning about Gabby.
A tingle runs down my spine, and I resolve to make today work.
“Reid, this is my sister, Delia, and her husband, James.” When I make the introductions, Delia stands and gives Reid a hug, and James extends his hand.
“Holy shite.” James goes right to it in his British accent. “You’re Reid fromGrill and Groom!”
Reid smiles and simply says, “I am.”
“I read your blog.”
My body feels as if it’s going to combust at any second.
When I shoot Delia a dirty look, she pipes up and says, “Do you now?”
James nods, unable to take his eyes off Reid.
I know the feeling, buddy. Believe me.
