God, if only Corey knew how right he was.This Christmasistotally about us.
* * *
As soon as Corey was out the front door and headed to his family’s restaurant, Steve was in the car like a rocket. He still had last-minute shopping to do, so made a whirlwind stop at the grocers, fighting the Christmas Eve crowds to pick up some fresh seafood, a selection of cheeses and crusty bread. Dinner would be simple. Not only did he want to limit the time spent in the kitchen, but he didn’t want a long, drawn-out meal either. He wanted to get straight to dessert.
Dessert.
Even the thought of it sent a jolt of nervous anticipation down Steve’s spine. He was 100 percent confident he was doing the right thing, but as he’d said to Corey earlier, he wanted everything to be perfect.
Steve joined the line of cars heading across the city. “Bloody holiday traffic.” He swore under his breath, impatient to reach the hotel.
His phone pinged, and he risked a glance at the screen while driving.
COREY:Sorry, babe. Forgot list. Type of wine u wanted?
Damn!Steve had no idea what the wine was, only that it was something his mum favoured that he’d noted down when he last spoke to her. He pulled over and tapped out a quick response.
STEVE:Not sure
COREY:List on fridge
And I’m not at home.He smacked the steering wheel in frustration. As far as Corey knew, Steve was doing a last-minute clean of the apartment in readiness for their guests tomorrow, not traipsing around the city. With a silent prayer of apology to his mum, Steve replied with the first wine to come to mind.
STEVE:Pinot noir
COREY:Cool. Xx
STEVE:Thx??
Steve merged back into traffic and finally made it through the city. He thanked his lucky stars when he found a parking spot not too far away from the small hotel his parents were staying in. He bounded up the front stairs of the building with renewed energy.
One more step nearly complete in Operation: Christmas Pudding.
* * *
“God, I’m so nervous.” Steve paced the hotel room, only halting when his father placed a hand on his arm.
“That’s to be expected, son. I’d be more surprised if you weren’t anxious.”
“Yes, you should have seen your father. He was a mess.”
“Now that might be going a bit too far.” His dad grinned at Steve’s mum, Barb, the love between the two still evident even after thirty years of marriage.
His mum patted the back of one of the chairs in the room. “Come and sit down, darling. I’ll make you a nice cup of tea. You’ll stay and visit for a while?” She didn’t give him time to reply. “You sit down too, Neil, and give Steve some fatherly advice.”
His dad took the chair opposite but rolled his eyes at Steve as soon as her back was towards them. Steve suppressed the chuckle. He and his dad had a good relationship. He knew he could count on his dad for support, but there wasn’t much to be said that would calm his nerves. Not today.
“You’ll be okay, son.”
Steve nodded at his father. At least one of them was confident. Steve felt as if he could unravel at any minute, nerves gnawing in his belly, a strange mix of anxiety and excitement.
His father’s grey eyebrows drew together, and he gave Steve a solemn stare. “When it’s right, it’s right, and it’s obvious the two of you are meant to be together.”
“Thanks, Dad.” He was reminded again just how supportive both his parents were, and the jitters quelled slightly.
Steve watched his mum make mugs of tea at the small hotel minibar area as his dad gave him an update on his sister, Sasha, and her Christmas plans, obviously trying to take Steve’s mind off things.
“Sasha and Gerald are spending the day with Gerald’s parents and the rest of their family. The kids are excited to visit Perth for the holidays, although we’ll miss them of course.”
