“Dad, she’s not doing it with us,” Lindsay immediately protested.
“Don’t test me on this, Linds,” Grant told his daughter, managing to keep his voice calm but firm.
“I don’t care if Ashlyn joins in,” Kevin piped up, and both she and Grant shot the boy grateful smiles.
“Because you're a traitor to mom. You both are,” Lindsay screeched, but her father simply held up the basket she presumed had all their names on bits of paper inside.
“You can go first, Lindsay.”
There must have been a note in her father’s voice that said he wasn't compromising, because Lindsay huffed, but stomped over and angrily snatched her bit of paper.
“You're next, honey.” Grant held the basket in front of her, and Ashlyn summoned a smile as she reached in and took her piece of paper.
Kevin went next, followed by Grant. Then he set the basket back down on the kitchen counter and included them all in his smile.
“Rules are you can't spend more than ten dollars, the gift has to be something thoughtful, not generic like candy. And we exchange the gifts on Christmas Eve,” Grant explained for her benefit. “Everyone, unfold your paper and see who you got.”
With trembling fingers, Ashlyn unfolded hers, dread clogging her throat when she saw the name printed there.
Lindsay.
Because that wasn't going to end in disaster.
Chapter
Fourteen
December 3rd
5:42 P.M.
This was probably a bad idea, but Grant wasn't backing down.
Lindsay had to understand that she wasn't going to rule their family. He respected his kids, valued their opinions, but they didn't dictate who he got to date. He was falling in love with Ashlyn, and he knew she was floundering, feeling like giving up on their relationship was the only way to bring peace to his family.
But it wasn't.
If his daughter cost him this second chance at love, something he’d never thought he would find again, then he worried he would always subconsciously hold that against her.
In the last seven months, Lindsay still hadn't been able to articulate to him why she was so against him dating. He got it was an adjustment, the kids were used to his attention being focused on them, but it wasn't like he’d thrown them to the wind and was focused only on Ashlyn. Between his work and hers,the kids’ school and extracurricular activities, he didn't spend anywhere near as much time with Ashlyn as he wanted to.
“Dad, Ash is here, in her Porsche. Can I go sit in it for a bit?” Kevin called from the front of the house, and he smiled. His son was really bonding with Ashlyn, and he loved seeing the two become more comfortable with each other.
“Sure thing, Kev,” he called back. Once the front door closed behind his son, he took a deep, calming breath, and called his daughter. “Linds, time to come down.”
Silence met his call, and then a minute later, stomping.
Lindsay was pouting like a toddler when she came down the stairs. Grant had always considered his daughter fairly mature, and it hurt to know not only was he wrong about that, but that she wouldn't open up to him. It wasn't like Ashlyn had ever done anything to hurt Lindsay, yet his daughter’s anger ran so deep.
“Isshecoming?” Lindsay snarled.
“You know she is. I told you she was going to do our Advent calendar tradition with us this year. She did the secret Santa pick, and did Christmas karaoke with us yesterday, of course she’s coming today. Kevin went out to look at her car, then they’ll be coming in.”
More stomping as he went to the kitchen table to ensure he hadn't forgotten anything, and Lindsay followed. “That’s not fair. You get to bring your girlfriend, but you wouldn't let me bring my boyfriend.”
“You know the rules, you're allowed one date a week, and you already had your date with Everett this week. Plus, this is a family thing.”
“Then why isshehere. She’s not family and she’s never going to be.”
