Chapter 7 #2
“They’ve taken each other for granted. My mother likes to claim it’s all on my father, but…I can see where she’s done it to him too.”
“Let me think about this…”
They ate in companionable silence for a few minutes. Shmoop begged quite loudly, but Holly mentioned that he wasn’t allowed table food. “Sorry, buddy. My hands are tied.”
“There’s a treat jar on the counter. I’ll get one for him.”
“I’ll get it,” Lucas assured her. The dog obviously understood the assignment and immediately jumped up to follow him across the kitchen and then danced excitedly on his hind legs until he had the treat in his mouth. It was kind of amusing.
But when Lucas sat back down, Holly suddenly perked back up.
“I’ve got it!”
“Already? Really?”
“If we can pull this off, it would be a miracle!”
“And…?” he prompted.
“Okay, you and I continue with getting the house ready and planning the party. We tell everyone at the office about the party, but emphasize that no one is to tell either of your parents.”
“Would anyone really tell my mother? I didn’t think she talked to anyone there.”
“She and I always used to talk and there are a few girls in HR that she has lunch with occasionally. Trust me, we are going to have to really drive the point home that this is a secret.”
He nodded. “And then what?”
“We should try to get your sisters and their families to come too, and then a few days before the party, you call your mother and tell her your father went ahead with the big party and he’s bringing someone with him.
After that, you call your father and tell him your mother went ahead with the party and is bringing someone with her.
Then they’ll both show up and you and your sisters can sit them down and make them see reason. ”
“Um…I don’t know. What if they each actually bring someone with them? Like…Dad’s got some woman who’s younger than me who’s clearly a gold digger, and Mom shows up looking like a cougar with some young dude?”
“I didn’t say it was foolproof,” she murmured. “I’m open to suggestions, you know.”
“No, you’re right. And it’s certainly more than I could come up with, but I think we may need to tweak it a bit while we’re working on the party.”
Beside him, she straightened in her seat, looking very pleased with herself. “We’re going to figure it out, Lucas. I promise.”
They talked about the plans for tomorrow with the exterior lighting crew, and he noticed that she sounded a little stilted. “I’m confused. I thought you’d be happy about getting started. The exterior decorations are a big deal.”
“I’m thrilled that it’s getting started. I just feel bad about interrupting your plans for the day.”
That was…odd, he thought.
“It’s really not a big deal. I can cancel my plans if you’d like.
I’ve been taking my nana to play pickleball every Saturday.
She’s kind of addicted to it and it’s a fun way for the two of us to hang out and visit while she’s getting her exercise.
” He shrugged. “I’ll call her and tell her we’re going to skip this week. No big deal.”
“Lucas Brooks, don’t you dare!” she cried. “That is the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard, and you are just beyond precious to be doing that with her!”
“But I thought…”
“Never mind what I thought. I don’t mind hanging out at the house while Henry and his crew work on the lights. I know exactly where everything goes and how it’s all supposed to look, so it just makes sense that I’m there anyway. You go and spend the afternoon with your nana.”
Tears shone in her eyes, and he couldn’t believe she was getting this emotional over pickleball. “What did you think I was going to do?”
But she shook her head as she stood to clean up their dinner dishes.
Lucas was on his feet immediately to help and nearly tripped over the dog. After a quick murmured apology, he put his attention back on Holly. “Come on, I’m serious. You seemed surprised, so clearly you must have thought I was doing something else.”
“It’s not important.” She placed their dishes in the dishwasher. “Do you want to take some of these leftovers home?”
It was clear she was trying to change the subject, but now he was super curious.
Stepping right in front of her, he blocked her from going back to the table.
With her back against the counter, they were standing closer than was probably appropriate.
He didn’t tower over her, but she still had to crane her neck a bit to look up at him.
“Tell me what you thought I was doing,” he asked, his voice sounding gruff even to his own ears.
“It’s silly,” she said shyly. “And I was wrong, so…”
“So tell me,” he gently urged.
Holly let out a soft sigh, her shoulders sagging slightly. “I thought you were going on a date.”
“A date?”
She nodded. “Yup.”
“And that bothered you?”
Turning her head slightly, she shrugged.
Lucas couldn’t say why this was so important to him, but it was.
Reaching up, he tenderly touched her cheek to get her to look at him again.
“I’m not dating anyone. And I wouldn’t be here with you like this right now if I was.
I’ve enjoyed the time we’ve been spending together, and…
I hope you have too. And not just for the sake of the party. ”
“I have,” she whispered. “Maybe I’ve been enjoying it too much because I got weird when I thought you were going out with someone.” Groaning, she ducked her head. “I’m so embarrassed.”
He touched her cheek again before tucking a finger under her chin, guiding her to meet his gaze.
“You shouldn’t be embarrassed. I’m glad you feel that way.
I’ve always enjoyed our time together at the Christmas party, and it seems like that’s the only time we ever get to just spend time alone without talking about work. ”
“It’s my favorite part of the party,” she admitted. “It’s one of the reasons I didn’t want it to be canceled this year. And now that we’re working on it together, it’s…it’s been extra special for me.”
Smiling down at her, he wasn’t sure he had the words to tell her exactly how he felt, so he thought maybe she wouldn’t mind if he showed her.
Slowly, he lowered his head and touched his lips to hers, and knew it was the right move when she pressed in close and wrapped her arms around him.