“You brought the kids gifts?” she asked.
“Don’t get too excited. It’s just a few things I ordered online. I have no idea if they’re age appropriate.” I nodded toward the door. “Let’s get in; it’s freezing.”
“That’s sweet of you.”
I chuckled. No one had ever called me sweet before.
“Everyone’s getting ready for lunch, so I’ll show you up to our room.” Violet set the gifts on a side table. As we climbed the stairs, a shriek echoed through the walls and a door slammed.
A petite girl with long brown hair bounded down the stairs to meet us in her stockinged feet. “You must be Violet’s boyfriend,” she said, sticking out her hand. “I’m so happy you’re here. I’m Darcy.”
“How do you do?” I asked, taking her hand. “Thank you for inviting me to your beautiful home.”
She lifted herself up on her tiptoes and then set herself down again. “It’s a total pleasure. I think giving thanks is such a wonderful idea, and I’m so pleased we have another person from this side of the pond around the table. We’re usually overrun!”
“Yes, these Americans are taking over,” I replied.
“I’m just popping down to see that everything’s running smoothly and that Mrs. MacBee hasn’t had a stroke. Make yourself at home, and let me know if I can get you anything.”
She bounded down the stairs and we continued to make our way up.
“You’re so charming,” Violet said, kissing my cheek.
“You have no idea what I’m capable of when I try,” I replied, swatting her bum.
She laughed. “I’m enjoying finding out.”
Violet was at her most beautiful when she was laughing.
“This house is so creaky. The floors, the walls, the doors. And the beds.”
“Sounds like we’ll have to get creative,” I replied. “What time’s lunch?” I’d missed sleeping next to her last night. Even though we’d not been staying over at each other’s place until recently, I’d gotten in the habit of creeping around in the dark when I got up in the mornings, so it had felt odd to be able to have the light on and the news in the background as I padded around my hotel room.
“We don’t have time,” she replied, slapping my hand from her backside. “You’re not a fast fuck.”
“Good to know where I am on your scale, but we had to be pretty quick that first time, in the office.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean—it was a compliment.”
“Hey, lighten up. Live in the moment,” I teased.
“God, you’re annoying.”
I bent and kissed her head as we arrived at a large oak door.
“This is us,” she said.
I tried not to smile at the label. I hadn’t been an us in a long time. I wasn’t sure I’d really ever been an us before. With Violet, us was new. But it was the right description.
When we got in, I dumped my bag and took my jacket off. “Come here,” I said, holding my arms out. I needed to feel her warmth, to enjoy the way her body fit so perfectly against mine.
“How was your conference call?” she asked, sliding her hands around my waist and putting her head on my chest.
I exhaled and tightened my grip. “Good. I’ve left Sebastian a list of stuff to get on with. I’m delegating. Are you proud?”
“Very,” she said. “And pretty blown away that you’re here.”
A loud knock at the bedroom door interrupted us.
Violet groaned. “That will be my sister.”
I released my arms and Violet went to answer the door while I slipped my jacket back on.
“Is he here?” someone whispered.
“Alexander, this is my annoying sister, Scarlett.” Violet held the door open and Scarlett walked through.
Scarlett was slightly taller than Violet but they both had similar long, dark hair.
“I’m so happy to meet you,” she said and we shook hands.
“How do you do? I’m Alex.”
“Want to go downstairs? It’s almost one,” Violet said, hurrying us out. “Apparently we have drinks in the library before lunch.”
I nodded and followed the girls out.
Violet glanced over her shoulder at me as I walked behind them down the stairs. She smiled, but it wasn’t the same unforced grin I’d seen from her earlier.
“This must be Alexander,” a British man said as we entered the library. “I’m Ryder. How do you do?”
I took his hand. “Please call me Alex.”
“Gosh, all these introductions. I hope it isn’t too overwhelming,” Darcy said, handing me a glass of champagne. “Ryder is my brother and Scarlett’s husband. That,” she said, pointing at a man crouching to negotiate with a toddler, “is Max, Violet and Scarlett’s brother—”
“And I’m Harper,” a woman with brown hair interrupted. “I’m Violet’s sister-in-law and the chief interrogator for the day.”
“Don’t mind my wife,” Max said, joining the group. “I’m the protective older brother. I hear you’re a barrister.”
I glanced over at Violet, who was glaring at her brother.
“That’s right. And you’re on Wall Street?” I asked. I much preferred to learn about others than answer questions. Most of the time, people were happy to oblige me.
“And you work in the same office as Violet?” he asked.
“Indeed.”
“I’m a big fan of office romances,” Harper said, patting her husband’s chest. “It’s how Max and I met. And here we are—married with three kids.”
“And you’re married?” Max asked me, his eyes narrowing.
I couldn’t blame him questioning me about my marriage. I was dating his sister, but it felt a little misplaced—Violet and I weren’t about to have three kids. Our relationship was different. It was constrained by my job and my capacity to make time for a woman. “Gabby and I split up three years ago.”
“Don’t start, Max,” Violet urged. “Can’t we just have a nice time rather than reenact the Spanish Inquisition?”
Luckily, we were interrupted by someone coming in to announce lunch and we all wandered into the dining room. Violet and I trailed behind, and I picked up her hand and pressed my lips to her fingers. “I can handle anything they dish out. Don’t worry.”
She sighed. “But they’re making such a big deal out of it.” She shook her head.
“You’re the little sister, but it doesn’t matter. You and I know who we are together and that’s all that matters.”
Violet stopped and turned to me, her free hand on her chest. She searched my face with her gaze. “You’re right. We do. We’re living in the moment, just enjoying each other’s company.”
“Exactly. Stop worrying.” I kissed her forehead and we headed into lunch, taking our seats as indicated by the name cards. It was just adults around the table, and I’d been placed between Violet and Scarlett. Food was passed around and the chatter and laughter seemed to relax Violet.
“Thanks for coming,” Scarlett said as she handed me a plate of broccoli.
“It was very nice to be invited. I’ve never had a Thanksgiving before.”
“I don’t suppose you have. Something else that you and Violet don’t have in common,” Scarlett said.
“Sorry?” Was there subtext behind her statement?