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My mom smiles and seems remarkably unperturbed that I left Molly alone on Christmas. “Sweetheart, just go get her after you’re done setting the table, all right?”

My brows furrow in confusion and I nod. “Oh, okay. Are you sure that’s all right?”

“Of course. I already have presents for her,” Mom says with a smile, then turns and continues cleaning up the kitchen.

Confused, I walk into the dining room and set the table.

Then I drive over and get Molly.

Chapter 31

Molly

When we arrive at Brooks’s parents’ house, I’m feeling nervous. On the drive over, he told me they were acting weird. What if they’ve already found us out somehow?

We walk inside without knocking, something I think is very endearing about the Windells; their door is always open to their kids.

His parents meet us in the front entryway. “Merry Christmas, Molly!”

I hand her a box of maple candies I brought from Vermont. “Sorry, it’s not much.”

“Nonsense, this is lovely!” She takes the candies from me politely.

“Glad you could make it, Molly,” Mr. Windell says in his serious tone.

I study him for a few seconds, noting his blonde hair that’s half grey now, and his tall, slender build with the same broad shoulders Brooks has. I imagine he’s in his sixties but is still very handsome. I can’t help but wonder if this is a replica of what Brooks might look like in about forty years.

“Thank you for having me … again,” I tease, and they laugh politely.

Mr. Windell guides us into the dining room. It’s decked out with holiday decor and the table is set beautifully. Each place setting has a calligraphy place card, and there’s one with my name on it … right between Madden and David.

Brooks's eyes shift around the table, and his eyes widen when he sees we’re not seated together. Instead, he’s seated on the other side of the table, next to Drew and Sophie.

He attempts to act unbothered as he takes his seat and I take mine.

Madden grins at me, and says, “You have the best seat in the house.”

“I was about to say the same thing,” David agrees.

They each take a sip from their water glasses, trying to hide their smirks.

I laugh, and sneak a glance at Brooks, whose knuckles are white as he grips his fork tightly. This isn’t good. They totally know. But how?

The thought of Brooks traipsing nude in front of a bunch of older ladies makes my stomach twist. What if one of them has a heart attack?

Mr. Windell quickly says grace, then everyone digs into their food, eating their fill. Laughter and chatter fill the room, along with giggles from the children. This is so much more fun than Christmas with my family. And they actually eat.

“So, Brooks, how was your business trip?” David asks before taking a bite of potatoes.

Brooks narrows his eyes slightly as he chews his food. He swallows and answers, “It was lovely. So much snow.”

The two brothers continue looking at each other, both unblinking, obviously in some kind of staring contest.

“What’s the vegetation like there?” Sophie says, drawing them back to the present.

Brooks looks at her, clearly confused. “The vegetation?”

“Yeah,” Drew says. “We’ve heard there’s a lot of mistletoe in Vermont.”