“I’ve heard their recipe has rum,” I highlight mundanely.
She laughs because she catches on that I am joking then walks with Enzo toward the main farmhouse.
Fifteen minutes later, we are all set, and I join Lainey and Enzo inside. They managed to grab a table in the corner. There is something kind of cozy about a fireplace warming the room and green garland wrapped around the space. A fire hazard, but fine.
“What’s the latest on your search?” Lainey inquires as I scroll on my phone.
“No luck. If I wanted guaranteed delivery for a menorah then I shouldn’t have waited until Hanukkah is already in full swing.” I raise my finger in the air. “Oh yeah, I didn’t wait, instead my crazy family decided to spring this on me at the last minute.”
“We had to learn the Hanukkah song at school,” Enzo mentions as he digs his spoon into the whipped cream on the hot chocolate he opted for instead of cider.
“I vaguely remember learning it in school.Oh Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah.”
Lainey squeezes my arm from where she sits by my side. “Look at you. Maybe your family will request karaoke hour as well.” She smiles cheekily.
Glaring at her, I only kind of—okay, I do find her whole attitude cute. “Laugh all you want, but you don’t know my aunt. I’ll never hear the end of this.”
She seems sympathetic. “We’ll figure it out.”
I love the way she sayswe.
We’ve been so busy all day that I haven’t thought once about what is transpiring between us. Mostly because… every moment that we experience now is too easy and natural. Nothing inside of me seems to be freaking out about her. That honor is reserved for my family.
“Do you get extra presents? Laura at school is guaranteed eight presents,” Enzo says with his mouth full of a whipped cream.
“No. My parents celebrate Christmas. But sometimes we have eccentric relatives that decide that merging two holidays together is bigger than winning a hockey cup.” Lainey has a closed-mouth smile because maybe I need to work on my deliverance of not-so-festive cheer. I’ll try again. “I mean, it does end up with some pretty epic dinners.”
“Tomorrow, we’re going to stop by a friend’s who I work with. She invited us for breakfast. Gracie canceled breakfast because of some family situation or something. Probably had to swap mornings that she sees her half-brother.”
That reminds me of something. “Yeah? Strange thing. She was at the rink talking to Asher.”
“Really?” She seems surprised then shrugs. “I’ll ask her next time I see her. Anyhow, we also call the family and collapse on the couch in our pajamas. Basically, thesequel to Thanksgiving,” Lainey explains then blows on the mug between her hands.
“Except there are presents,” Enzo reminds us.
“Depends. Has the magical elf been reporting to Santa every night that you are the perfect little angel?” Lainey is a great mom. She makes everything look effortless.
“Of course, and we’re going to leave out his favorite cookies this year.” This kid is so damn excited.
Lainey glances sidelong at me. “Have you heard through the grapevine what Santa’s favorite cookies are this year?” She wants me to join in on her theatrics.
“Probably those wafer things.”
“Really?” Her face squinches from my choice.
But I’m messing with her. “Nah, he’s a classic chocolate chip kind of guy. Maybe this year with those red and green chocolates in the cookies.”
“I’ve heard that too,” she agrees.
“We have to get that, Mom.”
I motion to the waitress that I’m going to pay. “Good thing we have to run to the store. We need lights.”
Because my day of decorating misery is never-ending. Except… I’m kind of enjoying this.
The treein front of my big bay window in my living room is doable. It does need a little help, but I guess that’s what the decorations are for. After scavenging the store’s shelves for the last of the holiday decorations, we managed to find some things, and we came home. Lainey and Enzo needed to call her brother, and she wanted to do a few things around the house.
When the knock on the door finally comes, I’m relieved.
