You Will Be Mine (Forever and Ever #7)(30)

“She’s more than welcome.” There was a smile in his voice. “We’re excited to meet your…friend.”

“I’m serious,” I snapped. “She’s just a friend.”

“That you stalk?” he asked incredulously.

“I never said it was the same girl,” I argued.

“But we both know it is.” His smile was still evident.

“Don’t make her uncomfortable. I mean it.” I hated my parents sometimes.

“No fucking in the house,” Dad barked. “She stays in her room and you don’t go in there.”

“For the last time, we’re just friends,” I hissed. “And secondly, I’ll do whatever I want.”

“Not on my watch,” he growled.

“Whatever. I have to go.” Actually, I didn’t. I was just sick of talking to them.

“We’re excited to see you and Ms. Satini.”

“Call her Beatrice,” I said firmly.

“Why isn’t she spending the holidays with her family?” he questioned. “If she’s just a friend?”

I didn’t want to pass on her personal issues. “She just…doesn’t want to.”

“Well, we look forward to seeing her. Your mother can’t stop smiling. She’s been waiting for you to bring a girl home for a long time. Me too. I was worried you were gay.”

“Shut the hell up.” I hung up before he could talk more shit.

***

When I picked up Beatrice, she seemed nervous.

“Don’t stress about anything,” I said. “You’ll like my family.”

She held a pie in her hands. “I made this…”

“They’ll love it.” I gave her an encouraging smile then carried all her things to my truck. After we got inside, we headed to the road.

I watched the neighborhoods disappear the closer we got to home. Beatrice was quiet and thoughtful, her eyes glued out the window.

“They said it was okay for me to join?” She looked to me for confirmation.

“Yes,” I said firmly. “They’re excited to have you.”

She nodded then looked out the window again.

“We do take an ugly sweater picture every year. So be ready for that,” I said with a laugh.

“An ugly sweater picture?”

“Yeah…it’s a stupid tradition.”

She smiled then looked away. “Your family sounds fun.”

“They’re okay…sometimes.”

“Will your sister be there?”

“Yep,” I said. “She’s living there for the time being.”

“What’s her name?”

“Trinity,” I answered.

“Pretty,” she whispered.

We spent the rest of the drive in silence until we reached my house. It was a three-story place with a large roundabout driveway, and a backyard that led to the beach. I loved growing up there. And chicks always loved my house.

“Wow.” Beatrice stared at it out the window. “It’s beautiful.”

“Thanks.”

She turned to me before she got out. “Conrad?”

“Hmm?”

“Did you…tell them about me?”

I met her look. “No. I keep my word, Beatrice.”

She nodded then looked away.

“I just said you wanted to spend the holiday with me. Nothing else.”

“Do they think we’re…more than friends?”

The question hurt. I already knew she didn’t want anything romantic with me but the reminder didn’t feel pleasant. “No. I made it clear we’re just friends.”

She released the air from her lungs. “Okay.”

I brushed it off then got out of the truck and grabbed our things. When we reached the front door, it was unlocked. I stepped over the threshold and dropped all our bags. “Your favorite child is home!”

Beatrice chuckled then shook her head slightly.

“He’s here!” Mom yelled from the other side of the house.

“Great,” Dad said sarcastically.

Mom reached me first then hugged me tightly. “Honey, you’re more handsome every time I see you.” She leaned in to kiss me on the cheek.

I pushed her away. “Yeah, thanks.” I didn’t want her kissing me in front of Beatrice.

Mom came to her and pulled her in for a hug. “Merry Christmas. Thank you for joining us.”

Beatrice returned the embrace. “Thank you for having me.”

Mom pulled away and studied her face. I knew what she was thinking and what she wanted to say. Beatrice was unbelievably beautiful, and I knew my mom wanted to mention this obvious fact.

“Mom, where’s Beatrice staying?” I asked before she could embarrass me.

“One of the guest rooms,” she said. “It overlooks the beach. You’ll be comfortable there.”

“Great,” Beatrice said. “Sounds lovely.”

My dad reached us with a smirk on his lips. He eyed Beatrice before giving me a knowing look. “Christmas came early for some people…”

I gave him a hateful look. “Dad, this is Beatrice. Be nice.”

“I’m always nice.” He extended his hand and shook hers. “We’re excited to have you. Conrad never brings anyone around.”