Palmer frowns as well, slowly nodding. “She does.”
“I totally know her! Well, we’re not close or anything, but I know her since Caroline is her boss, and Caroline is one of my best friends,” I explain, my mind going over the few times I’ve met Cassie. Cute. Sweet. Caroline has zero complaints about her. Says she’s a hard worker. “Such a small world.”
“It is,” Palmer says, seemingly uncomfortable.
But why? It’s not like I’m good friends with Cassie. Maybe he wants to keep her all to himself, and forget all the outside influences? I can understand that. Our immediate family might be small but the rest of our family is big—and nosy.
The remaining conversation at the dinner table is all about Palmer and his new girlfriend, meaning I can breathe again. I hate when the focus is on me. And it’s been on me for years. I knew they’d talk about my breakup and I’m surprised they didn’t ask me if there’s a new man in my life. I’d have to tell them no.
Thank you, Palmer, for the distraction.
When dinner is mostly over and I’m helping clear the table, Palmer corners me in the kitchen. “How close are you to Cassie?” he asks, not holding back whatsoever.
I frown as I nudge past him and head straight for the sink, setting the stack of plates I gathered in to be rinsed. “Not very close at all. I only know her through Caroline.”
“She doesn’t hang out with your friend group?” Palmer’s brows shoot up.
“No, not really.” Not ever. We’re pretty tight, though I’m sure we’d take her in if we could.
He practically sags with relief. “Okay. Cool.”
“Why? Would you have a problem if we were friends?” I ask, my voice sharp.
Palmer glances over his shoulder before he speaks. As if he’s making sure no spies are nearby. “She’s never really mentioned you beyond knowing you were friends with Caroline. I would’ve been kind of mad if you two were actually friends and she never said anything.”
Okay. Valid.
“And plus…after seeing what the family did to you about your relationship with…”
It’s my turn to hold up my hand. “Don’t say his name.”
Palmer frowns but nods once. “Noted. Anyway, I saw the way the family was so—involved in your relationship status. I want to avoid that at all costs.”
“You do realize by admitting you have a girlfriend, you just opened yourself up to all that involvement,” I say drolly as I turn on the water and start rinsing dishes.
My brother nudges me out of the way and takes over the job. Our mama did something right by instilling in him he needs to help clean up. “I didn’t want to keep her a secret. She didn’t like it. Said she wanted to meet everyone today. And she wants me to meet her family.”
“Are you going to?”
“Not today. They’re all in San Jose.” He makes a face. “She’s driving back here right now so she can meet everyone. Says she can’t wait to taste Mom’s homemade pumpkin pie.”
My voice drops. “It’s not homemade. Not anymore. She buys it from Costco.” Biggest pies you can find for the best price, is what Mom and Dad say.
“I know that now. I thought she still made it.” Palmer’s expression turns to misery. “I lied to Cassie. I feel like a jackass.”
I burst out laughing, thinking of all the lies my ex told me. “If that’s the only lie you tell her, then don’t worry about it. She won’t be offended. Plus, you can turn this around and make it seem like Mother lied to you.”
“Ha! Good idea,” he tells me as he continues rinsing off dishes. He suddenly shuts off the water and turns to face me. “Are you doing okay, Amelia? We haven’t really talked much lately. I’ve been—preoccupied.”
My big brother was my hero when we were younger. When I was five, I declared to my parents I was going to marry him and they laughed. But I truly felt that way. No one could replace my brother.
As we grew older, we drifted apart, as so often happens. Lately he’s definitely been preoccupied, and so have I, with my breakup.
“I’m okay,” I reassure him. “Getting through it.”
“Met anyone new?” he asks, sounding like one of our aunts.
“Please don’t ask that question,” I tell him, making him laugh once more.
I think about what my friends told me. How Candice wants to set me up on a blind date at her wedding, which is a stretch. It has to be. That’s the most important day of her life! How is she going to have time to worry about who she’s setting me up with?
Please.
Never going to happen.
Five
Isaac
Fuck me sideways, it’s busy.
You’d think I’d get used to it, after working here at the tree farm for the past three years, but somehow, it’s always a surprise. The rush of customers on this day, like there’s a great big light switch that gets turned on and all of the Monterey peninsula is in search of a Christmas tree, even this early in the season.
Retail calls the day Black Friday, but Charlie Sullivan calls it Green Friday. As in, he’s selling lots of green and making lots of green too—cash, that is. It’s his most anticipated and least favorite day, all rolled into one.
And I’m pretty sure every single employee that works at Sullivan Tree Farm is scheduled today.
I got the early shift because I’m almost always here in the morning, and my seniority has to count for something. I’ve been hustling and loading trees all day. Helping people pick them out. Hauling them around over my shoulder like some sort of Paul Bunyan come to life. Charlie has been running around barking orders at everyone like a madman. His sister, Victoria, is running the retail store with that calm, cool attitude she has, everything in there humming along smoothly like it does. That attitude of hers is one her big brother clearly did not inherit.
What’s even crazier is Charlie and Candice’s wedding rehearsal is happening—tonight. Here at the tree farm. It’s scheduled to start right after we close, and quite frankly, I’m glad I won’t be around to have to help set up.
I’m sure it’ll be even more chaotic, though Candice will be here and she has this way about her. She makes everyone feel like they’re contributing and they make her so damn happy. She smiles and bounces and claps her hands together, offering accolades and gentle commands all the while. She also smooths Charlie’s ruffled feathers.
She’s good for him.
I’ve been thinking a lot about relationships lately, especially with all of this wedding stuff going on around here, and I realized a few weeks ago I’d be down to start dating a woman seriously. First I’ve got to find myself a good woman to hang out with, which isn’t easy. I’m not one to try dating apps. I’ve done it before and it was a total fail. Not like I’m out and about on a nightly basis picking up ladies.
Once I find her, we could go out to dinner, the movies, to a bar, whatever. But not some trashy bar. I’m thinking more like a classy place where she can sip wine and I’ll drink a pricey beer that’s not my usual style. We can chat about our day and snack on appetizers before we take off back to her place—my imaginary girlfriend has no roommates, which is a most excellent thing—and do the deed all night long.