With a nod, he tells me he’ll see me in a bit for dinner and then he carries on into the living room. I stay where I am, wondering what the rest of the night will bring. I’ve been here less than an hour and I already feel like I’ve been through the emotional wringer.
Unsure which direction to go, I’m relieved when Liam comes out of the kitchen and starts down the hall. The smile he gives me makes everything better…and yet somehow, oddly, worse? His expression is so open and full of unguarded affection.
“There you are,” he says, sliding one arm around my waist and pulling me close. He presses a kiss to my forehead then leans in closer, nuzzling my neck. “Why don’t you come join Mae and me in the kitchen and I’ll get you a glass of wine?”
“Sounds perfect. Lead the way.”
*****
If I thought my last dinner at the Murphys’ was animated, it was nothing compared to tonight’s. Fiona’s presence seems to bring everyone to life—except for Nathan, who’s quiet for the most part, although he does smile fairly often and chime in once in a while. Fiona and Murph regale the table with stories of their travels; it’s obvious Fiona inherited her dad’s storytelling talent. We’re a rapt audience, and a well-fed one too as Mae fills and refills our plates, her face glowing with pride and pleasure.
After dinner, Fiona and I offer to clear the table so Mae can take a much-needed break and be with ‘her boys’, as Fiona says.
“I always forget how much I miss family gatherings until I’m here in the thick of things,” Fiona says as she fills the sink with soapy water. I’m not sure what my expression is, but it prompts her to say, “Go ahead, you can say what’s on your mind.”
I think of my conversation with Nathan earlier and him accidentally hurting my feelings by saying he knows what it’s like to be the one left behind. “Okay, but just know I don’t mean this in a passive-aggressive way. I’m genuinely curious.” At her nod, I ask, “Do you ever feel like you’re missing out?”
Fiona shuts off the tap and leans against the counter, drying her hands on one of her mom’s many Christmas-patterned towels. “Yes and no? When I’m here, I’m reminded of just how truly wonderful and special my family is. I love them with every fiber of my being. But the minute I’m back on the road…” Something sparks in her eyes, and a small smile flirts around her full lips. “It’s not that I don’t miss them, but that desire and passion for travel takes over. I want to see and taste and experience everything I possibly can, and that fills me up to the point where there isn’t room for much else. Does that make sense?”
“It does.” I’ve never experienced anything like what she’s talking about, but I can imagine it. I hope when I leave Honeywell, I can find a role I’m passionate about so it’ll fill me up the way travel does for Fiona. So I won’t dwell on everything and everyone I’m missing here.
“Let’s leave the rest of these and I’ll do them later,” Fiona says. “We should enjoy every second we can with the people we love.” She gives me a pointed smile as she says that last part.
I follow Fiona out of the kitchen, taking a quick detour to the bathroom. When I enter the living room a few minutes later, Mae is saying something about an event called Cocktails and Cookies.
“That sounds like fun,” I say. “What is it? And when?”
“It’s an event Sweet Escapes is hosting later this week,” Mae says. “I came up with the idea a few years ago, and it’s one of the few holiday events that’s for adults only. We get a temporary license to serve alcohol in the form of festive drinks, and we decorate cookies.”
“Mum was talking about canceling it this year with so much else going on,” Fiona says. “She doesn’t want to host an event while I’m home.Isay no way is she canceling. It’s one of the most popular events of the season, and part of the ticket proceeds go to the community center.”
Mae makes an uncertain noise, her mouth pulling to one side.
“Are there any tickets left?” Fiona asks.
“Yes, four or five I believe,” Mae says. “They’re usually all gone by now, but the storm threw things off.” She shoots me a guilty look and adds, “I’ve been meaning to ask if you’d like to attend…”
Before I can say anything, Fiona claps her hands together, drawing our attention to her. I may not know her well, but I know a mischievous look when I see one. Nathan, who’s sitting as far away from Fiona as possible while still being in the same room, lets out a groan. “I’ll take four Cocktails and Cookies tickets, Mum. That way you don’t have to feel guilty about missing time with me while I’m home,andyou can put the four of us to work. Problem solved.”
I’m surprised when Fiona’s gaze swings to mine, eyebrows raised as if seeking backup.
“Cookies and booze? Count me in.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“I’m going to need you to help me run interference between Nathan and Fiona tonight,” Liam says, looking over at me with a smile bordering on a smirk as he pulls his truck into a parking spot near Sweet Escapes.
“Nathan gave new meaning to the phrase ‘if looks could kill’ last night,” I say. “I’m not sure I want to get between the two of them with him shooting daggers from his eyes like that.”
Liam chuckles. “I don’t blame you. I thought he was getting better, starting to feel less animosity toward her. Whatever happened while they were in Toronto seemed to set him back to square one.”
“He hasn’t said anything?”
Liam shakes his head as he unbuckles his seatbelt and opens the truck door. “He’s been really tight lipped.” He hops out of the truck and comes around to my side, opening the door and helping me slide down from the high seat. He takes my hand, lacing his fingers through mine as we walk the short distance to the café.
“I’m hoping having you here will make things less awkward,” he says. “I always feel like I’m in an emotional tug of war with the two of them. Even though they’d never expect orwantme to take sides, it can get uncomfortable when it’s just the three of us, with me babbling away to cover the uncomfortable silence.”
I stifle a laugh at the image. Liam must sense my amusement because he squeezes my hand. “Sorry. I promise to help you play referee tonight if necessary.” I pause to give him a quick kiss when he holds the door open to Sweet Escapes.
