Ihaven’t been to a “family dinner” since before Georgie died. Shay has invited me almost weekly since she started dating Noelle, but I didn’t think I could face it. Granted, I never thought about it for more than a minute before declining because it was easier not to think about it.
Este accepted Noelle’s mom, Kate’s, invitation when she dropped the dogs off the other day without asking me first. Which is exactly the push I needed to show up. If she’d given me the chance to say no, I’m not sure I would’ve said yes.
It’s warm enough that everyone is hanging out in the back yard, and Este’s dads and Sloane are already here when we walk in holding hands. I know Chris offered to drive us all, Este didn’t hide the text when it came through, but she declined without a second thought because she knows I’m not there yet. I’m still getting used toherdriving me, and family dinner is already stressful. So, we walked. It was only ten minutes, and the boys needed to be walked anyway—Kate didn’t say the invitation was only valid if webrought her new best friends with us, but it was heavily implied.
We say hello and stop by Chris, who is alone, frowning at a life-size Grinch standing on the back porch.
“Hey, Pops.”
“Hey, kiddo. Look at this thing. Kind of sinister, right?” he says, nodding to the figure as if we hadn’t noticed it. It’s almost as tall as I am.
Grey’s ears are pinned back as he eyes it, but Earl doesn’t give a shit. He ignores it completely, forcing his way past Este to demand attention from Chris.
I can’t believe I just assumed my dogs didn’t like people because I’m so antisocial that they were never around them.
“It’s a little weird, but I wouldn’t say sinister,” Este replies, prodding the Grinch and recoiling at whatever texture she encounters.
Chris shrugs. “Hmm. Hey, do you know who the redhead is that’s talking to Noelle?”
“Nope. Do you?” Este asks me, and I follow their gaze.
“That’s Quinn’s sister. Abigail, I think.” I met her briefly at Shay and Noelle’s bakery opening, but I met a lot of people that day, and I’m not the best with names.
“That’s who your dad and I saw buying the pregnancy test at the grocery store,” Chris says, and Este’s eyes widen.
“Damn. I hope she’s okay. Do not tell Sloane. You know what she’s like—she’ll end up saying something.”
“My lips are sealed,” Chris says. “How are you feeling, Nico?”
It takes me a second to realize he’s addressing me directly. I know Chris has never been my biggest fan. Heand Bryan started dating just before Georgie died, and I only met him once before I ran away to Wintermore. It was clear he never understood why Bryan kept trying with me, and I can tell he’s less open to the idea of me and Este than Bryan is. But Este said they talked at breakfast and that he wants to try.
“Good, thanks. A lot better than I was.”
“Glad to hear it.”
It’s the most we’ve spoken, possibly ever, and the silence that follows is awkward as hell.
Este chuckles and tugs me down the porch steps. “Come on. Let’s go and be sociable.”
“There hasgotto be something in the water in this town,” Sloane says, pointing her fork between Rora and Henry. “How many years between you?”
“Nineteen,” Rora says.
“And there’s sixteen between you,” Sloane says, nodding to Shay and Noelle. “Twenty-one between you two.” Me and Este. I like being an “us two” with her. “Wintermore: the town of Christmasandage gaps, apparently. What about you two?”
Felix and Abigail exchange a slightly bewildered look. “Ten years,” Felix says slowly. “But we’re not together.”
“Huh. I could’ve sworn there was a vibe. Anyway, ten years is nothing.”
“Ten years is not nothing,” Quinn interjects, frowning atSloane. They’re sitting directly across from each other, and she smirks in response.
“You would say that, Quinny.”
“Quinny?”I mouth to Este, but she looks equally confused.
“No idea. I’m definitely missing something.”
“They were like this the whole trip to your cabin to get your stuff. I felt like I was third wheeling,” Henry says quietly, leaning across the table so we can hear him. He’s holding Sunny, and she reaches out and grabs for Este, whose face lights up. “You want to hold her?” Henry asks, passing her over when Este nods.
