“Okay,” she says gamely. “We’ll smile through it and make a point to drink something else.”
That was pretty much my plan too, and I shoot a grateful look toward the passenger seat.
“You’re very special, Weston. I never met a guy before who was his own cousin.”
I snort. “My family tree is twisted, that’s for sure.”
“Do you have grandparents?”
“Strangely enough—or not, depending on your viewpoint—my grandpa on my father’s side has gone a lot deafer since this whole thing went down. His way of dealing with the chaos is not to hear a lot of it. And never to wear his hearing aid. Can’t say I blame him.”
“Oh, that poor man,” Abbi says. “What a mess. No wonder you don’t like the holidays anymore.”
She’s right—I used to love Christmas. But the holidays are just a chore now. On the stereo, the a cappella group is singing “Jingle Bells,” and I’m just not feeling it. “It’s like I’m numb to Christmas,” I mumble. “But Lauren would shoot me if I skipped this party. And so would Stevie—that’s my little brother. He’s eager to meet you.”
“What did you tell him about me?”
“Nothing, I swear. But I never bring girls home for stuff like this. Neither does he. I mean—would you?”
“I tried on Thanksgiving, remember? It didn’t go so well.”
“Exactly.”
“We need a plan,” she says. “How close are we supposed to be? Am I just some girl you brought home, or are we dating? How thick should I lay it on?”
I chuckle, because I’d really enjoy watching Abbi turn up the girlfriend vibes. I wouldn’t say no to a fake kiss or two. Although that’s not really fair to her. “Look, you don’t have to do anything that isn’t comfortable for you. They won’t believe it, anyway.”
“What do you mean?” She gasps in mock outrage. “Am I not girlfriend material? I wore tights and a dress for you.”
“No, you goof. You are more lovely and convincing than any other girl I’ve brought home in three years because—”
“Because you haven’t brought anyone home in three years.”
“Now she gets it. Nothing against that dress, though.” I’d still like to touch it—or peel it off her. Although I’m not about to say so.
She clicks her tongue. “Weston, I think you doubt my acting skills.”
“It’s not that,” I promise.
“Still, it’s only fair that I get a chance to snow your family as well as you snowed mine.”
“Okay.” I laugh.
“Let’s go with the same story we told my family—we’ve been dating about a month.”
“Fine.”
“And what do I win if I can make them believe me?” she asks sweetly.
A kiss. “Um… a dinner that didn’t come out of the deep fryer at the Biscuit?”
“Yes! And that bottle of wine we never drank together.”
“You’re on. This will be fun. I mean—I totally snowed your stepdad. It’s only fair to let you compete.”
“Exactly.”
“But it won’t be easy, Abbi. My brother and I have spent the last two years insisting that relationships are for suckers. You can’t really live in my dad’s house and believe otherwise.”
She shrugs. “I like a challenge. Besides, it will make the party more fun, don’t you think? People will be gossiping about us instead of your stepfuncle.”
“My—?”
“Stepfather-slash-uncle. Your stepfuncle. Besides—I already have a pet name for you picked out. It would be a shame not to use it.”
I snicker nervously. “I’m terrified now. But fine. Two can play at this game. I’m going to call you…” I hesitate. What’s a slightly silly but ultimately believable pet name for Abbi?
Honey is too generic.
Kitten?
Sugar pop?
Hmm.
“It’s not so easy, right?” She sounds a little smug. “The name has to fit, or people will see through us.”
“Eh. I made your stepdad into a believer. And I did it without a pet name.”
“Pfft. Price was suspicious of you,” she points out.
“Was not,” I argue just because it’s fun to goof around with Abbi. If she were my only company for the next three days, I’d actually be looking forward to Christmas.
“He was too,” she chirps. “Do you want to argue some more? Or are we going to sing something at the top of our lungs? I just found the Avett Brothers singing ‘If We Make It Through December.’”
“That sounds more than appropriate,” I admit. “Blast it, baby.”
And she does.
Seven
A Little Overheated
Abbi
After getting off the highway, Weston begins to wind my little car down narrow country roads, while snow falls gently past my window. It’s cozy here in the car with him. I almost wish the trip would never end.
I know Weston doesn’t really need me here. But it’s obvious he’s dreading this party, and that he feels truly grateful for my company. And that’s given me a useful, optimistic feeling that Christmas hasn’t brought me in years.
Let’s face it, if not for Weston, I’d be holed up alone in my apartment right now, thinking sad thoughts about decorating past Christmas trees with my mom. This is so much better than that.
Eventually Weston turns down a driveway between two towering pines. And as we roll toward the house, it’s clear he’s totally undersold the cool factor of this place. There’s a stunning two-story clapboard house in front of us, with a slate roof and a wraparound porch. The doors are painted a cranberry red that’s set off against the snowdrifts.
“Wow,” I breathe. “It’s like parking in front of a Christmas postcard.”
“Didn’t I mention that my dad is an architect?” Weston asks, hopping out of my car.
“I get it now.”
When I climb out, he offers me the keys. “Here. In case you feel the need to make your escape from this looney bin.”
"Way to sell it, Griggs." I pocket the keys.
His smile is tight. “Thank you for coming with me, Abbi. I really appreciate it."
“Hey. It's really no trouble. I don't mind getting out of town for a couple of days. It's nice to have a change of scenery." That goes for both gorgeous property and Weston's handsome face in front of me. “Look, Christmas is a real drag for me these past couple of years. I get stuck inside my head. It's too much alone time. It makes me sad.”
“We have that in common, then,” he whispers.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see the window curtain twitch. And maybe that’s why I suddenly stand on tiptoes and give Weston a kiss on the jaw.
Whoa. He smells of woodsy aftershave. I have to force myself to rock back onto my heels, instead of leaning in for even more.
He grins. “Is someone looking out the window?”
“Yup!" I give him a big smile. “I’m going to win this thing, Griggs. Now introduce me to your bonkers family. I'm ready.”