Lucky Number Four (29 page)

“Tell me you didn’t hear all that.”

“I’m afraid I did. Jeff got a phone call, so
I stepped out to give him some privacy. I couldn’t help but hear
how sinful you are. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me before we
let you move in with us.”

He laughs and I join in. I move closer and he
startles me when he takes hold of my arm and pulls me toward him.
My heart misses a beat, and then it starts racing, thumping so
loudly he must hear it. With his other hand, he points up to the
ceiling and I see not one, but several pieces of mistletoe hanging
above us.

“I’m afraid I’m going to have to kiss you.
Those are the rules.” I’m almost drooling at the sexy look he’s
giving me. It’s also making my palms sweat.

“Would that be considered sinful? I’m already
branded, so what the heck?” I giggle as I see his eyes widen at my
statement, and I pull down his head and plant a loud kiss on his
cheek. He pulls back and smiles wickedly.

“You call that a sinful kiss? Let me show you
sin.” He grasps my arms, holding them firmly while pulling me
close.

“Oh my.” A voice sounds behind me just as his
lips are planted on mine. We break apart quickly and I turn to see
both matriarchs standing there, one with a grin plastered on her
face and the other one a deep frown.

“I see you two have found the mistletoe. I
made your granddad put that up when we got here this morning. So
glad you two are making good use of it,” Grandma says, dragging my
grandmother into the dining room behind her.

The doorbell rings. I move to the door and
shiver as a blast of cold air greets me when I open it. Julie and
Kevin are standing on the step, their hands full of presents.

“Hey, Dora, are we late?” Julie asks, pushing
past me, dumping her presents into my arms. Kevin follows, kissing
my cheek, and Taylor suddenly appears, grabbing the presents from
me before leading Kevin into the living room toward the highly
festive Christmas tree.

“I’m starved, and it looks like people are
being seated. Hurry up, Kevin.” Julie fails to wait for him and
makes a beeline to the dining room. “Holy shit, it smells delish in
here.”

Drew is still standing under the mistletoe,
looking bemused at the tornado that has just blown through the
house. He raises one eyebrow at me and looks up at the mistletoe.
“Mmm, I guess we better follow them,” I say.

What a geek I am, and a chicken too. Drew
sighs as I walk past him. I wonder what his kiss would have tasted
like. Just once I’d like a kiss from a “bad boy.” Blushing, I
remember his naked body in art class.

Great. Just what I need … sinful, X-rated
thoughts on Christmas Day. I’m going to get a seat in hell for
sure.

“Are you okay, Dora? You look a little
flushed.” Jeff’s voice brings me back to the present, and I feel
myself getting redder as he smiles like he knows what I was just
thinking about. I elbow him on my way past him to the table and
laugh when I hear his “oof.”

“No, I don’t want any of that mess,”
Grandmother sniffs as the plate of turducken is passed to her.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Beatrice. It’s just
turkey, duck, and chicken, not arsenic.” Grandma is so
eloquent.

“Mrs. Phillips, it’s quite good,” Jeff says
from the left side of me.

“I’m a traditionalist—roast beef for me, none
of this newfangled food.”

Can she sound any snootier? Drew sends me a
quick half-smile from across the table and my stomach jumps. I
really have to get control of myself. If I want to take a plunge on
the wild side, Drew isn’t my choice. Colin, yes. I mean, maybe.

“Well, I like it,” Julie interjects, stuffing
more food into her mouth.

“I’m with Grandmother. It’s weird.” Bridget,
the traitor, speaks up and then looks down again when she notices
Drew peering over at her.

No female is immune to him. When we go out,
it’s not normal, especially when all three of them are together.
But Drew is the center, the eye of the storm, so to speak. But
damn, he is adorable, smexy, and delicious all in one. And
well-endowed too. Okay, so I’m not an expert. I’ve seen only a few
in my whole life—four in real life, and, no, I’m not giving names,
and some in magazines—but Drew’s most definitely measures up.

“Dora, please pass the potatoes.” My mom’s
voice penetrates my musings, and when I look up, Drew is staring at
me like I’m the only person in the room. Or maybe I’ve got
something on my face.

“Jeff,” I whisper, turning my head to him.
“Do I have something on my face?”

“No. Why?” he whispers back.

“Drew is staring at me like I do.”

“I think he wants to take a bite of you,
Red.”

“Some help you are. And you have gravy on
your chin, by the way.”

Is he right? What would Drew want with me?
Why do I care? I think I may need to start seeing a therapist. I
beginning to think I talk way too much with myself.

“I’m so full,” Dad says while leaned back in
his chair, rubbing his stomach.

“I agree. I’ll be hitting up the gym next
week for sure … or maybe after New Year’s.” Julie pats her stomach
and I realize she’s gained weight. How could I have missed that?
She sees me looking at her and winks. Oh, sweet fertile mother,
she’s pregnant. I want to say something, but it’s not my place to
blab the news.

“Me too. Hey, Julie, why don’t you help me
put some of this away?” I raise my hand as Drew and Jeff get up and
start grabbing plates from the table. “No, Julie and I will do
that. Everyone else go into the living room. It won’t take us long,
since there’s not much left.” I grab a few dishes and so does Julie
before we move into the kitchen.

“Okay, explain the belly.” I grab Julie and
turn her to face me.

“I’m fucking pregnant. Oh shit, I’ve really
got to stop cussing. They say the baby can hear everything.”
Julie’s eyes are shining with unshed tears, and I pull her in for a
hug.

“I don’t think the baby hears yet, so you’re
safe. When did you find out? I’m so happy! You and Kevin are happy,
right? How could you not be? A baby. How far along are you? How
many others know?” Julie pulls back from me as I continue to ramble
and wipes the tears trickling down her face.

“I’m about two months in. I go to the doctor
on January fifth. We’re so happy, Dora. At first, I thought Kevin
wouldn’t be. We hadn’t really talked about kids, but he’s so
excited. We told our parents last night, and they’re beyond happy
for us. At first I thought I had the stomach flu, like everyone in
my office, but after I threw up, I felt good and the sick feeling
didn’t linger. I still can’t believe it.” Julie’s face glows with
glee.

“Are you going to tell my family today?”

“Hell yeah we are, but I wanted you to know
first. I don’t know the first thing about being a mother. What if
I’m a terrible at it?” The tears return and begin to travel slowly
down her cheeks.

“You’ll be an awesome mom.” I hug her again
and feel relief as she laughs.

“Hey, you two, we’re waiting to open
presents.” We turn to see Taylor standing there with his hands on
his hips. “And the grannies are at it again. We need you out there
ASAP.”

I put my arm around Julie and we make our way
to the living room, hearing a heated discussion between the
grandmothers.

“I’m just saying the money is wasted on that
ratty old museum. We need new bingo balls and a new paint job on
the community center.”

“Ratty old museum? How dare you talk like
that about such a place? It is a wealth of information for the
population of our town. Bingo balls are a frivolous waste of money,
and I will definitely veto it.”

“And I will vote for it, and so will my
friends. The money will be ours.”

“Ah, thank goodness. Here they are. Julie,
Dora, we’re ready to open presents, so take a seat,” Mom says,
looking frazzled.

“First, Julie and Kevin have some exciting
news.”

Everyone’s attention focuses on Julie and me,
and Julie motions for Kevin to join us. “As our second family, we
want to tell you all some great news we recently found out.” Julie
swallows hard and the good old tears are back.

“What Julie is trying to say,” Kevin takes
her hand and gently squeezes it, “is that we’re going to have a
baby.”

A little lump forms in my throat as I see the
joy and love in Kevin’s eyes as he looks at his wife. Little
niggles of jealousy momentarily blind me, or it might just be these
tears, but then I push them away as the room erupts with
congratulations followed by a massive hugging session. Blinking
away the tears, I find Drew’s eyes glued to mine, and for a brief
moment I wonder what kind of father he’d be.

“Well, that was fun.” Jeff turns to look at
me in the backseat.

“It’s always fun at the Phillips’ house.
Never normal, but always fun.” I’m so drowsy, and the comfy leather
seat makes me want to take a nap.

“I love your family. I can’t thank them
enough for allowing me to join all of you. I think this is the best
Christmas I’ve ever had.”

Drew’s sexy deep voice makes me sit up
straighter. Wait. Why am I thinking about his sexy voice when this
poor guy just admitted he’s never had a good Christmas? How utterly
sad. I wish I could hug him right now, but I don’t think that would
be wise since he’s driving.

“Really? The best? Man, I’m sorry. Well, I
don’t know what to say.” Jeff, Mr. Always Knows What to Say, is at
a loss for words. I so wish Julie was here to witness this.

“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. I’d apologize
for the grandmothers, but you knew what you were in for. And, Drew,
I love my present. It’s beautiful.” I do love the silver necklace
he gave me. It’s an intricate silver design wrapped around a
turquoise ball that chimes when I move. “Does it have a
meaning?”

Drew laughs, which is a wonderful sound to my
ears. What kind of childhood did this guy have when spending a
Christmas with people he met only a few months ago is the best he’s
ever had? I really need to find out how I’m supposed to help him.
I’m most definitely calling Mom tomorrow. We need to pump Henry for
more info. Every gift Drew gave out today brought joy to each and
every one of us. I’m so confused. He’s projects this image of being
a big player, and yet he’s so incredibly sweet and thoughtful at
the same time.