“Mother,” Mom said.
“Oh, she’s gonna figure it out anyway,” Grams said. “And it worked, so what else do we care?”
“No one’s saying it worked,” Julie said, even as her heart flooded with affection and a dangerous amount of hope, proving it very much had.
The fact that five heads tilted in that Aww-that’s-adorable way, she’d done a horrible job hiding her feelings.
Dawning slammed into her, and she whipped in Mom’s direction. “Did you flood the house and ruin my old bedroom just to try to force Gavin and me together?” Her voice had come out high-pitched and a hint frantic, but seriously? That was evil-genius level, with a side of ludicrously expensive.
“Of course not,” Mom said, and relief flooded Julie. “We merely took advantage of the fact that it did.”
Darlene aimed a grin at her scheming sister-in-arms. “We were right. Having them under the same roof really took things to the next level.”
They proudly beamed at each other until Julie cleared her throat. “This is a trial, not an awards ceremony.”
Granny Frost raised her hand as she bounced on her stooled perch. “Ooh, can I be the judge?”
Lord, give me strength, Julie thought as she turned her gaze toward the heavens. Then she felt bad, because Jesus shouldn’t have to take care of things on his birthday. “What else?”
“We bought your elf costume so it’d be cuter than the ugly ones the committee had,” Mom said. “For the record, the fact that Gavin’s was too small was a mistake. It’s just what Mrs. Trabanino had left, since you two were late.”
While she and Gavin had always known their parents pulled hijinks in the name of matchmaking—all the not-Julie and not-Gavin quips made that pretty clear—this was next level.
“Oh, and we hung mistletoe everywhere.” Darlene gestured at the light fixture, as if Julie hadn’t already noticed herself.
“That was my idea,” Granny Frost said proudly. “In addition to being one of the few plants that blossoms in the winter, it has roots in fertility.”
Julie covered her face with her hand and groaned. “Fertility? Really?” It went without saying that she was more of a scientifically proven gal. When it came to the kissing and the super steamy sex, she could totally get down with that. But babies were a loooooong time away. “And given the conflict of interest, Granny Frost, it sounds like you need to resign as judge.”
Instead of bemoaning that fact, the four of them all began taking credit for not just this holiday season’s meddling, but years’ worth.
“I told not-Julie number three that I was going to crochet her a sweater to wear to Gavin’s games,” Grams said with a cackle. “Then I showed her the ugliest pattern I could find.”
“Claudia was the worst not-Julie,” Darlene said, and everyone agreed. Even Julie, although she was keeping that fact to herself.
During all the confessing, Niki draped her arm around Julie’s shoulders and rested her head against hers. “Yes, they’re a bit overzealous, but they’re our family, and it is Christmas. They mean well, and you’re happy about you and Gavin, right?”
Julie fought a smile, but in the end, she couldn’t hold it back. After all, it was the season of family, giving, and peace. “I’m happy.” Anxious and out of her mind over the talk she wanted to have with Gavin about being willing to do whatever it took to make it work, but still, happy.
But then the guys came in. The scent of ham flooded the room, and Rashad placed it on the center of the table and turned to grin at his wife, proud as a peacock. And even though Darlene had spent days preparing and the entire day—save unwrapping presents—in the kitchen, she praised his efforts.
Rashad swept her into his arms, dipped her, and kissed her. Everyone else in the room whistled and razzed them, although they were also reaching for their significant others. Julie’s heart swelled, testing the bounds of her rib cage, and sought out the guy who’d swept her off her feet this past week.
Only when her eyes met his, he looked completely miserable.
She started across the room to see what was wrong and what she could do, but then the announcement came that it was time for dinner, along with instructions for everyone to take their seats.
And it didn’t bother her in the least that her assigned spot was next to Gavin.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Gavin kicked himself for his earlier denial. The longing that’d flickered in Julie’s features at his parents over-the-top display of affection, followed by smiling at him, suggested she was starting to envision a possible future like that.
He’d done his best to not overreact to her earlier question about settling in Crystal Springs and kids in pageants, surrounded by grandparents. She often spoke in hypotheticals, but it was becoming painfully obvious she had a finger hovering over the fast-forward button, too, same as their parents.
What a mess he’d landed himself in, and while he’d lamented his minor injury and being unable to join his teammates this past week, he’d savored his time here with his family. And of course that included Julie.
But for the first time since his arrival, he anticipated climbing on a plane and getting the hell out of Colorado. Too many more hours here at home, and he was afraid he’d destroy years of friendship, all because he hadn’t kept his libido in check.
“…and we’re especially grateful for the friendships we’ve formed, and the love—both old and new—filling this room,” Grandpa Frost said as he wrapped up the blessing on the food. “Amen.”
Gavin gripped the edges of his chair, doing his best to bottle his aggravation over the fact that even prayers were filled with hints regarding him and Julie. Covertly, he glanced at the time.
Two and a half more hours, and then I’ll fly to Jacksonville and life will return to normal, and I won’t have to deal with any of this until next year, when they repeat their shenanigans.
He, however, would not be repeating his.
At that thought, the strings in his heart gave a sharp tug. Naturally, they chose to go in Julie’s direction. Great. Now even his own body was against him.
When the potatoes came around, he spooned them onto his plate. Afraid of what he’d see if he looked at Julie for too long, he kept his gaze on his food as he passed the bowl. The cycle repeated until each dish had circled the table and then everyone dug in.
The chefs were complimented, and people chatted about the upcoming new year, how long they thought last night’s fresh layer of snow would stick around, and if spring would be mild or harsh. With Colorado, it was anyone’s guess.
“Before you know it, it’ll be summer again. And summer’s so very lovely in Crystal Springs.” Why was Mom aiming her words at him? As if he didn’t know that information already. It was a lot cooler than the humid summer he’d spent in San Antonio this past year, but his family would have to accept he didn’t live here anymore.