Chapter 7 #2
She lets out a sigh, knowing the conversation is over. “Fine. Let’s order some food.”
By the time the clock hits eleven, Kate is settled into the guest room, and I’ve snuck out to the kitchen.
I stand in front of the cookies that have been staring me in the face since Penny and Autumn showed up earlier.
I pick one up, inspecting the messy confection.
The frosting is haphazardly coating the snowman, and there’s a chance it may be more sprinkle than cookie.
But I take a bite anyway and moan at the flavor that explodes over my tongue.
They may not look the best, but fuck, they taste good.
Kate might be right. I’m starting to think I might be fucked too.
~ ~ ~
Penny
The door to the coffee shop chimes, signaling another person has entered, and I don’t look before yelling out, “Welcome to Beach Brew!”
We’ve been so busy this morning that I haven’t had a chance to catch my breath. We’re finally slowing down now that it’s afternoon, and I’m cleaning the coffee I spilled behind the register.
Jordan came and picked up Autumn a few minutes ago to go shopping, and Kyle headed out not long before that, leaving me and my parents to manage the shop.
“Hey, Penny.”
My head snaps up and I lock eyes with Kate, who is dressed in a heather gray trendy sweatpants set and black beanie; a complete one-eighty from last night when I saw her.
Declan is trailing behind her in a black hoodie, dark jeans, and checkered Vans, looking just as comfortable.
“Hey. What are you guys doing here?” I ask, stupefied, flicking my eyes between hers and Declan’s.
“I drink like ten coffees a day and Declan’s single-cup Keurig wasn’t cutting it. I need a large and in charge cup of Joe.”
I smile at her. “Absolutely. What can I get you?”
“If you like holiday drinks, I would recommend the Peppermint Patty Latte,” my mom suggests as she comes out of the back office.
Kate beams. “Oh, hell yes. I want the biggest cup you’ve got with an extra shot of espresso.”
“A black coffee?” I ask Declan.
He nods. “That would be great. Thank you.”
My mom moves behind the register, introducing herself to Kate and saying hi to Declan while I make their drinks. My dad comes out from the office as well, and in the two minutes that it takes me to make their coffees, my mom has Kate wrapped in a hug, and my dad is shaking Declan’s hand.
“This is going to be so great,” my mom says with a smile. “Kate and Declan are joining us for Christmas tomorrow.” She turns to tell me as I place the drinks on the counter.
Kate is ecstatic, and Declan looks lost. Like he’s just realizing that he got roped into Christmas with virtual strangers.
“They don’t have any plans since Kate surprised Declan, and they don’t have a Christmas tree. It’s not Christmas without a tree,” my mom explains like it’s a no-brainer.
“Oh, I need to go shopping. What does Autumn want for Christmas?” Kate asks excitedly.
I shake my head. “Nothing. She already gets spoiled by these two,” I tell her, pointing at my parents.
“That’s not going to cut it for me. She’s what… three… four years old? I have to get her a gift.”
“She’ll be five in a couple of weeks.”
“Him too.” She throws a thumb in Declan’s direction. “Well, not five but thirty-three.”
“When’s your birthday?” my mom asks like a nosey neighbor. Literally.
Declan blinks and then says, “January twenty-first.”
My eyes widen, and I choke on air.
“So is Autumn’s,” my mom says in awe.
My dad is looking between Declan and me, and I look down at my feet to avoid his gaze.
Kate playfully punches her brother’s shoulder. “What a coincidence.”
He glares at her but covers it up a moment later with a tight-lipped smile.
“Anyway. We’ll be ready for tomorrow. Let me give you my number, Briana, and you can text me what to bring.”
Kate and my mom exchange numbers like long-lost friends, even though I’m pretty sure Kate is my age, and I watch the exchange with fascination. I think my mom just met her match.
I peek up at Declan as he grabs his coffee, and he mouths an “I’m sorry” with a shrug.
“Do you surf?” my dad asks a moment later.
Declan’s gaze swings to my dad. “I do actually.”
“Around noon, a few of my buddies and I do a session in the water. You should bring your board and a wetsuit.”
“Yeah, sure. Count me in,” he says back.
My dad smiles at him and shakes his hand, and I stand there like I’m in the Twilight Zone. What the hell is happening here? I think I wound up in one of those bad Christmas movies where they get stuck in a snow globe and everything is ass backwards. That’s what this feels like right now.
“Why don’t we all drive together? Declan has a huge four-door truck and can take us all,” Kate suggests.
“That’s okay. Autumn's car seat–”
“It’ll fit,” Declan interrupts. “I can take you guys.”
I stare at him for a beat because I feel like this is the first time he’s actively wanted to be around me and Autumn since we found out who each other is.
I look at Kate and then back at Declan. “Sure. Okay. If it’s not an imposition.”
Kate and my mom beam, and my dad has a smirk on his face.
Fuck.
I hate my life sometimes.
“Take my number too,” Kate suggests to me, and I pull out my phone to save her in my contacts.
“Text me what time we need to leave in the morning, and I’ll make sure this guy is ready.
” She points at her brother. “In the meantime, we have some shopping to do for tomorrow, so we’ll get out of your hair. ”
Kate looks like a ball of sunshine as she and Declan say their goodbyes and leave the coffee shop. I have a feeling she hasn’t met a stranger in her life.
“You know you just invited strangers to Christmas,” I tell my mom as soon as the door shuts behind them.
She shrugs. “Kate said Declan was going to spend the day by himself, so she took a last-minute flight to make sure he wasn’t alone. No one should be alone for the holidays.”
I get my bleeding heart from my mom. I swear, we take in strays wherever we go. Take Kyle, for example. It shouldn’t surprise me that she offered people we barely know to come over for Christmas. Not that Declan is a stranger to me, but he may as well be to them.
I roll my eyes at her, but inside, I’m freaking out.
Declan is spending Christmas with my family.
How did this happen?
Oh, right. My mom and Kate, the conspirators. Say what you want, but I’m pretty sure they did this on purpose.