Chapter Forty-One

Kate

 

I excused myself from the Cords. Not wanting to be overheard, I headed toward an outside deck where I could get some privacy.

“Free trip to California in winter? Fly me now, please,” Sonya said.

“Are you capable of saying hello?”

“Why, when I can get right to the point?”

This wasn’t starting out well. “You spend Christmas with your grandmother.”

“Who’s in Florida with her new boyfriend as of a week ago. The family is so scandalized, no one can agree to host because Gram’s house is neutral territory. I was going to hang out with you, anyway.”

“Oh.”

“And Pete’s not ready to meet my family.”

“Really.”

“Okay, I’m not ready for him to meet my family. Daddy already called him ‘the crippled white boy’.”

“Oh geeze.”

“I can’t take them anywhere. Please let me come to Cali? Please?”

I rubbed my forehead. “I don’t even know if I’m staying past tomorrow. Jane’s fine. She just needs to recuperate. I’ve already helped all I can.”

“What about Sam?”

I didn’t gasp at the mention of his name.

I didn’t.

“What about him?”

“The man offered to pay for your brother and best friend to spend Christmas there to get a few more days with you. Do I have to spell it out?”

Let me stay in denial.

“He suggested it for Mama Jane.”

“Sick mom you both love is a convenient excuse, honey.”

“Why is everyone trying to hook me up with Sam Cord?” I exclaimed.

“Everyone?”

Shit.

No getting away from explaining my slip. Sonya was a pit bull for dirt.

She didn’t let go for anything.

I sighed. “Jane was trying to play matchmaker before you called. Like I told her, the answer is no. My life is in Nashville.”

Sonya laughed at me. “What life? Kate, you’re either in front of a computer monitor or the TV. Pete and I have to beg you to come out with us.”

“I don’t want to be a third wheel.”

She gasped. “We’ve made you feel that way?”

“You’re fine. It’s not your fault. Three is just a crowd.”

“You could’ve said something sooner.”

She sounded hurt.

“This is why I didn’t! Everyone feels guilty and then it’s awkward.”

“Perfect reason to come to California, then—there’ll be five of us.”

“Sam has two kids.”

“Five, seven, whatever—can I tell Pete now?”

I really needed less pushy people in my life!

Ganging up on me from every direction.

“No. I’ll be home before Christmas and that’s final.”

I ended the call.

An orderly on smoke break offered me his pack.

“Thanks, I don’t smoke, though.”

I went inside.

But I do indulge in junk food.

Vending machines hadn’t moved. Paid for a bag of Famous Amos cookies and wandered, mind spinning as I nibbled.