Her gaze shifts to me, and a flash of annoyance crosses her features. "James, I didn't realize you would be joining us again."
"Last-minute decision," Caleb says, his hand finding the small of my back. "Since we're officially dating now, it made sense for James to be here."
The emphasis he places on "officially dating" sends a ripple through the room, a barely perceptible shift in the atmosphere. The last time I had seen them was for that awkward fundraiser, during which Caleb and I were still in our "fake relationship" phase, a detail his family might have picked up on.
"How... unexpected," his mother replies. "You might have called ahead, Caleb. We would have prepared accordingly."
"Sorry, Mother." Caleb doesn't sound sorry at all. "My apologies, we are only going to be able to stay for today, but I hope Maria can set another place for lunch."
She makes a noncommittal sound as Thomas steps forward, shaking my hand with the same firm grip I remembered from our first meeting. "James. Good to see you again." His smile doesn't reach his eyes. "I believe you haven't met my wife, Audrey? And this is Robert's wife, Alexis."
The wives offer small nods but stay where they are, their posture suggesting I've brought something unpleasant into their carefully curated Christmas.
"Nice to meet you both," trying for politeness despite the chilly reception.
"Where's Father?" Caleb asks, glancing around the room.
"Taking a call from the governor," Thomas answers. "Campaign doesn't stop for Christmas, little brother."
"Of course not," Caleb mutters. "Heaven forbid."
"Drink, James?" Robert offers, gesturing to a bar cart laden with crystal decanters. "Scotch? Bourbon? I seem to recall you didn't partake much last time."
"Just water, thanks.”
Something like amusement flickers across his face. "Water it is." The way he says it makes it sound like I've failed some sort of test.
"James is the webmaster for our fraternity," Caleb offers, clearly trying to change the subject and find some common ground. "He's brilliant with computers. Built our entire system from scratch."
Thomas raises his eyebrows. "Webmaster? That's... interesting. What's your actual career plan?"
There it is, the first direct dig. I feel Caleb tense beside me, but I keep my expression neutral.
"I will be working in digital security consulting. I've already got a job lined up with Vertex Systems after graduation."
"Vertex," Audrey repeats, looking to her husband. "Is that the startup Thomas was considering investing in last year?"
"The one that tanked its second round of funding?" Thomas asks, smile sharpening.
Holding his gaze. "No, that was Vertigo Tech. Common mistake."
Caleb suppresses a smile beside me.
"How did you two meet?" Alexis asks, her tone suggesting she's asking about a mildly interesting science experiment.
"James helped me with a computer problem," Caleb answers before I can. "We got talking and hit it off."
"How quaint," Audrey murmurs, exchanging a glance with Alexis that speaks volumes.
Caroline clears her throat. "Well, we're delighted you could join us, James. Caleb so rarely brings anyone home."
"I wonder why," Caleb says to me under his breath.
The arrival of Caleb Huntington II breaks the tension. He moves through his own home like he's entering a boardroom. That same calculating look from our first meeting is sharper now and focused on me.
"James," he says, not bothering with a greeting for his son. "I trust you found the place without issue."
"Your driver was very competent. Hope he doesn't get lost coming here often, it would be a pain in the ass to find on your own."
