“VIOLET AMIN. YOUR ASS IS DEAD.”
“Okay so in my defense…actually I have none. Other than the fact that it was the end of the semester, and I was running on pure autopilot and completely spaced.” I step out of the car and extend my arms out for a hug. “Forgive me.”
She raises an eyebrow at me. “I had to find out from Marge Preesley that you were shacking up with my brother.MargePreesley. Who, by the way, could barely get out Mason’s name before sobbing over the cat-sitting incident of 2012.”
A load groan comes from Mason as he steps out of the car. “How many times do I have to say it. I didnotkill Mr. Noodles. That cat was just old.”
Monroe rolls her eyes before turning her attention back to me, my arms still extended. She glares for a few seconds before breaking and giving in to my hug. “I can’t believe you two are finally together.” She squeezes me tightly for a moment, and then leads me into the house. “How did it happen? When did it happen? You have to tell meallthe details…pause. Maybe not all the details because there are some things a sister really doesn't ever need to know about her brother.”
“Should we maybe help Mason—” I turn around to see him carrying in all our bags with ease.
Monroe drags me into the house where I spot my mom in the kitchen, already having made substantial progress on a bottle of Prosecco. Monroe slides me a glass before taking a seat on one of the bar stools. “Details. Now.”
thirty-five
. . .
Violet
“Areyou sure we can’t just order some takeout tonight and hide away in your room?” Mason buries his head into my neck and wraps his arms around me from behind, as I take one final look at my outfit in the mirror. Christmas Eve dinner was always followed by an extensive photo-op, driven largely by my mother, who always fussed about how we never had enough family photos. The frames covering the walls begged to differ, but who was I to get in her way?
“I’m pretty sure my mom made her signature shortbread cookies just for you, so no. You don’t want to face her wrath if we skip dinner.” I lean into his embrace, taking his hand into mine. “Are you having second thoughts about coming back?”
He hugs me even tighter and presses a kiss to the side of my head. “No. I forgot how much I loved it here. How magical this place feels during the holidays…”
“But?”
“I just don’t know what to say to him.”
“We’ll figure it out together,” I promise. “Worst case scenario we can just pretend he’s not even here, okay?”
He presses a kiss on my shoulder. “Okay.”
That proves to be much easier said than done, as Melissa practically forces Mason into the chair closest to his father. Joe decides to make me the center of the conversation, ignoring his son who is seated right next to him. “So, Violet your mom tells me you’re applying for this big fellowship?”
“Yeah, I’ve submitted all my app materials and am crossing all my fingers and toes right now. I could really use the money to help free up my schedule.”
“I thought the school already paid you?” Joe takes a sip of his wine.
“Yeah, but the payment is tied directly to my work as a teaching assistant. Which means the time I’d be spending on research gets sacrificed to other responsibilities like grading papers, leading discussion sections, and holding office hours.”
“And this fellowship would help with that?”
“Exactly. I would basically be getting paid to do my research which means I wouldn’t have to teach anymore.”
“I see. Well, good luck. They’d be stupid not to give it to you.”
“Thanks Joe.” I glance over to Mason who is looking at me lovingly. “Although one downside of not teaching is I won’t see Mason as much anymore. One of his players is in my class this semester.”
Joe finally turns his attention to Mason. “I heard you were coaching for Westchester.”
Mason straightens up. “Yeah. For a few months now.”
“Would’ve been nice if you had told us. Or even mentioned that you were back in Boston. You know, your mom and I had to find out from someone else.”
“I meant to reach out to you two.”
“I’m sure you did.” Joe rolls his eyes. “Just like you meant to return all our calls when you were playing with the Rangers.”
