“Not you, too,” I whined. “I’m just fine. No wonder I was never able to lose weight in this house.” I popped a mini quiche into my mouth.
“Yeah, well, no diets today. I’m making your plate.” She redirected her attention to Blake. “Whoa, get a load of you. Eva, did you bring a tree home for dinner? I think I better get more food started.”
“Stop it, Mom.” I laughed.
Blake blushed and stepped forward. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Ricci. I’m Blake. Everything smells delicious but trust me, it’s enough. I’ll control myself.”
“Please don’t.” She grinned. “No one holds back in my kitchen. I’ll be insulted if you don’t leave here rounder than when you came in, and with a doggy bag. And it’s Connie, please. Now give me a hug. I can’t believe my Eva’s in love.” She held her arms open.
“Don’t make a spectacle, please,” I spoke through my smile.
“How could I not? You’re the first one. Did she tell you that?”
“Mom,” I warned.
“Abby told me he was good looking, but man, you’re like a model.” She gleamed.
Blake’s cheeks reddened even further.
“Okay, Mom. We’re gonna go get settled while you calm yourself.” I turned to Blake. “Hurry up before she makes a move on you or something. I think she’s lost it.” I chuckled at his rare loss for words.
I cracked open the door to my bedroom. It was just the way I’d left it, decorated in different hues of purple—my favorite color, with pictures lining the walls and dresser, displaying happy moments from my past. A small desk sat in the corner. I smiled as I looked at the knob I knew was loose on the drawer where I’d kept my journal all those years. Instinctively, my eyes drifted to Mary’s vacant place next to the bed. I hadn’t felt the need to bring her with me, knowing Blake would be here.
I dropped my bag on the comforter. “Told you they’d love you.” I rocked to the side, nudging Blake’s shoulder.
“They’re awesome. This is like a real home. A real family.” Blake placed his bag next to mine and looked away with a half-smile, seeming far away.
“Hey, don’t do that. Your family’s great and they love you. There are people who don’t even have that. Besides, you’re my family now, too.” I smiled, tucking my head beneath his so he’d focus on me.
Blake wrapped his arms around my neck and put his lips to the top of my head, breathing into my hair. “I don’t know what I’d do without you anymore.”
“Thankfully you’ll never have to find out.” I poked the tickle spot on his side, and he jarred to the left.
“You think you’re funny?” Blake hooked his forearm around my neck and gave me a noogie.
“Stop it, you bully!” I pushed against his ribs as he dragged me down the hall.
The front door flew open, and we stopped in our tracks as Abby and Damon hobbled in, balancing piles of gifts. My heart flatlined as a bundle of nerves slammed into my stomach, knocking the wind out of me.
Abby poked her head around her stack. “Hey, you guys. Merry Christmas Eve!”
Blake released his grip, and I straightened, smoothing my hair. “Hey, I didn’t think you’d be back yet.”
“Are you kidding? I never get to see you. We finished up at Damon’s house as quick as we could.”
With a huff, she dropped her pile and hurried to us, scooping me into her arms. “Hi. I missed you.”
“Missed you more,” I said, looking past her to Damon, who was placing his stack beside hers. My mom’s hors d’oeuvres teetered at the back of my throat.
Abby hugged Blake. “Nice to see you again. I’m sober this time, I promise. Well, for now anyway.”
“Nice to know.” Blake winked.
While they chatted, Damon rolled up from the floor, his pointed glare nailing me to the ground. Prickles covered the back of my neck as he clenched and unclenched his jaw. He brought his hands together in a loud clap, and I jumped, the malice in his face seeping from every pore. I should have known he’d mess with me for bringing someone home. Rubbing his palms, his lip curled back over his teeth in disdain.
“Let’s meet the guy Eva finally decided was good enough for her, shall we?” He dragged his condescending eyes away from mine. They widened as they landed on Blake. “Holy shit. Blake?”
“Hey, dude. What the hell?” Blake stepped in, giving him a pound.
Damon’s eyes twinkled with delight. The corner of his mouth twitched into a smile. He looked like he’d just set up his checkmate pawn. “What a small world. You got the other sister, I see.”
“You two kn-now each other?” My nervous tongue stuttered.
Damon turned his triumphant smile on me. “Sure do. We grew up in the Hamptons together. Our parents run in the same crowd.”
Whatever kept my body functioning seemed to stop, except for the loud thumping of my heartbeat in my ears. How can this be happening?
“Wait, really?” Abby exclaimed. “How did I never meet you? Eva, this is like kismet.” She beamed.