I smile at her. “Absolutely. What can I get you?”
“If you like holiday drinks, I would recommend the Peppermint Patty Latte,” my mom suggests as she comes out of the back office.
Kate beams. “Oh, hell yes. I want the biggest cup you’ve got with an extra shot of espresso.”
“A black coffee?” I ask Declan.
He nods. “That would be great. Thank you.”
My mom moves behind the register, introducing herself to Kate and saying hi to Declan while I make their drinks. My dad comes out from the office as well, and in the two minutes that it takes me to make their coffees, my mom has Kate wrapped in a hug, and my dad is shaking Declan’s hand.
“This is going to be so great,” my mom says with a smile. “Kate and Declan are joining us for Christmastomorrow.” She turns to tell me as I place the drinks on the counter.
Kate is ecstatic, and Declan looks lost. Like he’s just realizing that he got roped into Christmas with virtual strangers.
“They don’t have any plans since Kate surprised Declan, and they don’t have a Christmas tree. It’s not Christmas without a tree,” my mom explains like it’s a no-brainer.
“Oh, I need to go shopping. What does Autumn want for Christmas?” Kate asks excitedly.
I shake my head. “Nothing. She already gets spoiled by these two,” I tell her, pointing at my parents.
“That’s not going to cut it for me. She’s what… three… four years old? I have to get her a gift.”
“She’ll be five in a couple of weeks.”
“Him too.” She throws a thumb in Declan’s direction. “Well, not five but thirty-three.”
“When’s your birthday?” my mom asks like a nosey neighbor. Literally.
Declan blinks and then says, “January twenty-first.”
My eyes widen, and I choke on air.
“So is Autumn’s,” my mom says in awe.
My dad is looking between Declan and me, and I look down at my feet to avoid his gaze.
Kate playfully punches her brother’s shoulder. “What a coincidence.”
He glares at her but covers it up a moment later with a tight-lipped smile.
“Anyway. We’ll be ready for tomorrow. Let me give you my number, Briana, and you can text me what to bring.”
Kate and my mom exchange numbers like long-lost friends, even though I’m pretty sure Kate is my age, and I watch the exchange with fascination. I think my mom just met her match.
I peek up at Declan as he grabs his coffee, and he mouths an “I’m sorry” with a shrug.
“Do you surf?” my dad asks a moment later.
Declan’s gaze swings to my dad. “I do actually.”
“Around noon, a few of my buddies and I do a session in the water. You should bring your board and a wetsuit.”
“Yeah, sure. Count me in,” he says back.
My dad smiles at him and shakes his hand, and I stand there like I’m in the Twilight Zone. What the hell is happening here? I think I wound up in one of those bad Christmas movies where they get stuck in a snow globe and everything is ass backwards. That’s what this feels like right now.
“Why don’t we all drive together? Declan has a huge four-door truck and can take us all,” Kate suggests.
