Page 113 of See You Again
They followed Cara into the kitchen and found it already full of people.
Cami was grateful for James's comforting hand squeeze, as he proceeded with a round of introductions that left her struggling to remember who was who, and how they were related.
“Does this presentation come with a family tree?” Cami joked.
“Welcome to the madhouse,” Wes Evans, Cara’s husband, said, stepping forward to shake her hand.
"We aren’t that bad.” Cara smacked his bicep with the back of her hand.
“They really aren’t, when you get used to them,” Dahlia agreed from her perch on a barstool, throwing the group a smirk. “Then again, it hasn’t happened for me yet.”
A woman with a short, graying brown bob stepped forward, a radiant smile wreathing her face. “I’m Anne, James’s mom. I’m so happy to meet you.” She pulled Cami into a tight hug.
There was something so open and warm about the woman that Cami wrapped her arms around her and closed her eyes. It should have been too much for a first meeting, but James’s mom didn’t let go either, holding tight until Cami relaxed her arms.
“Something smells delicious,” Cami observed to cover her red cheeks.
Anne tucked her arm through Cami’s and led her further into the kitchen. “Pot roast and potatoes.”
“Actually, Mom?—”
“That looks like vegetable soup,” Cami said, sending James a quelling look. “Perfect for the weather today!”
Anne beamed, and James sent Cami a grateful smile.
“Is Declan going to call in?” Luke asked.
Cara shook her head. “He wasn’t happy about it, but he said something had come up.” James and Luke exchanged a frown. “Are we eating first or…” Cara inclined her head toward Cami.
James stepped forward, draping an arm over Cami’s shoulder, when Anne released her arm to open the oven. “You could at least offer her a drink first, Car-bear.”
Cami thought she heard the tiny blonde growl, but Cara dutifully asked. “Would you like a glass of wine? Anne bought out the store for today.”
“Whatever you’re having is fine.” Cami watched as Cara poured something bubbly into a stemless glass and handed it to her.
“You all enjoy your prosecco. We are going to eat first and talk after,” Anne said firmly, sending each of the Bloom siblings a telling look. Cami hid her smile behind her glass. “Everything is ready. We’re just waiting on our special guest.”
Her husband Bruce chuckled. “You didn’t tell them?”
“Tell us what?” Luke looked suspicious.
A too innocent smile lit up Anne’s face. “I wanted it to be a surprise.”
“I hate surprises,” James muttered.
“That’s because you aren’t any fun,” Luke dead panned.
“I think a new girlfriend counts as a surprise,” Wes whispered to Cara loud enough for everyone to hear.
James stiffened against her, and she reached up to stroke his back, lightly scratching her nails over his thin sweater until the muscles underneath relaxed. She caught Anne watching and almost stopped, but then Anne gave a gentle smile and a nod.
“Remind me to tell all of you how funny I think you are,” James drawled.
The sound of the front door opening drew everyone’s attention.
“And no one here to greet me. That’s a fine welcome,” a voice with a thick Irish accent said.
Cara squealed and rushed to embrace the woman. “Siobhan!”