A Cross-Country Christmas(60)

“Will never brings anyone home,” Mark said, stuffing caramel corn in his mouth.

Will’s mom smiled at Lauren, relishing in some inside knowledge. “He told me.”

“Oh, I just got a ride,” Lauren said. “I’m Spencer’s sister.”

“Wait. Spencer Richmond?” Nadia asked.

Lauren nodded.

“No way!”

Another nod.

“Spencer was always the cutest of all of Will’s friends,” Nadia said.

“Definitely,” Kayla agreed. “You live in California too?”

“Yeah, I work in TV. Set decoration.”

Both of Will’s sisters ooh’d and ahh’d at that, and Lauren resisted the urge to downplay it. She thought her job was pretty cool, and it made her happy other people agreed.

Mrs. Sinclair reached out. “Lauren, let me take your coat.”

Lauren shrugged it off and handed it over.

“And for the record, you can call me Kathy.” She started back the way they’d come in just as Will and his dad appeared in the doorway of the living room.

Both Nadia and Kayla jumped up, rushing toward their brother. One jumped on his back and the other latched on to his leg. These were grown women with husbands. Will trudged in the room, dragging one like a kid going for a ride on the hardwood floor.

Lauren took a step back, marveling at the sight of a family that loved well.

A strong pang of jealousy shot through her, and she shoved it off.

I’m fine by myself! I’ve got Maddie and a promotion, I’m totally fine!

And still, the sight of Will’s nephew running headlong into Will’s stomach. reaching for him and Will tossing the toddler in the air set something off inside of her.

She looked away, feeling out of place.

“Lauren, how was the drive?” Will’s dad asked.

Her eyes darted to Will’s, then away. “It was, uh, good. You know, some stops along the way, some ‘speed bumps,’” she put speed bumps in air quotes, “but you know, we made good time, and. . .”

Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!

“. . .I got to. . .ahem. . .see a lot of cool. . . things.”

Lauren thought she actually heard crickets.

“Good,” Steve said, saving her. “I hope you’re staying for dinner. Pauly’s lasagna is the stuff of legend.”

Nadia caught Lauren’s eye and mouthed ‘No it’s not’ while shaking her head slowly. Everyone laughed, and a voice from the kitchen shouted, “Are you talking about me? I promise this time it’s going to be good!”

This time, both Nadia and Kayla cut their hands back and forth across their throats, mouthing, ‘No it isn’t.’

“Last Christmas, Paul decided to make lasagna.” Nadia lowered her voice, telling the whole room the story for what she imagined was the umpteenth time. “But there was a football game on, and he forgot about it, and when he finally remembered, it was a black lump in the oven.”

“If you breathe in deep, you can still smell the smoke in the curtains,” Kathy laughed. “I should replace them.”

“But Mom insisted we all pretend it was still edible,” Will added. “So we didn’t hurt Paul’s feelings.”

“It was the most disgusting thing I’ve ever eaten,” Mark said dryly, looking back at the kitchen to make sure he wasn’t heard.

A tall, thin man with a thick beard and a full head of dark hair stepped into the doorway of what Lauren assumed was the kitchen. He wore a frilly pink apron over his tan sweater and no shoes. “While I appreciate the pity meal last year,” he swatted Nadia with a towel, “this time, I am confident I will not fail.” He glanced at Lauren. “You’re new. Impressionable. Don’t be swayed by their horrible, horrible lies.”

“It’s the truth, Lauren, you’ve been warned!” Nadia quipped.

She smiled. She instantly liked these people—their familial banter was different than what she was used to. It wasn’t intended to leave scars.

She glanced at Will and saw that the sea of people had parted, clearing his line of sight to the other side of the room. His attention laser-focused on his grandpa, sitting in the chair, eyes fluttering open. The old man had an afghan over his lap and an oxygen mask affixed over his nose. Will looked stricken.

Was this the same grandpa he’d told her about? The man Will had let down all those years ago?

“Pops.” Will’s voice was a whisper.

“Will?” The old man’s voice was hoarse and quiet as he reached for his grandson.

Will crossed the room and leaned in to hug the frail man. The others drifted together, as if moved by the scene before them. Kathy sniffed and wiped her eyes. She glanced over at Lauren, who felt every bit the intruder. This moment felt private, too private, for her to be a part of it.

But Kathy was at her side in seconds, as if intent on not letting Lauren feel out of place. She leaned closer. “Will’s grandpa is very special to him. Did he tell you about Pops at all?”

Lauren thought back to a stop on the road trip, his admission at the torchlight parade. “A little bit.”

Will had mentioned his regret over disappointing his grandpa, but he’d downplayed how much his grandpa meant to him.

Kathy motioned for Lauren to follow her through the entryway and into a den on the opposite side of the front door. One entire wall was made up of bookshelves, stacked to the ceiling with books. Lauren gasped. “Okay, this is my favorite room, ever.”