Page 55 of The Loophole

A large, bone-shaped dog biscuit was sticking out of Dusty’s stocking, while Embry’s and mine held cellophane bags filled with homemade peppermint bark. I asked, “Did you know that’s my favorite candy?”

“Yeah. You mentioned it once, in passing.”

“Thank you,” I said, as I drew him into a hug. “That means a lot to me.”

He must have heard something in my voice, because he guessed, “Is that something your dad used to buy for you?”

“He made it, every Christmas. I haven’t had it in years.”

“I didn’t mean to make you sad.”

I let go of him and smiled, even though I felt tears welling up. “You didn’t. It’s a good memory. Now we should hurry up and get to brunch, before my cousins hog all the blueberry scones.” He knew I was changing the subject, but he just went with it.

Dusty accompanied us to the dining room and sat in front of the fireplace while we said hello to my cousins. They were already eating, clustered together at one end of the long table.

When we checked out the lavish buffet, Embry whispered, “This is incredible. I feel like a prince.” He picked up a plate and began collecting every type of miniature pastry.

He ate a little beignet in two bites, and I grinned and told him, “You’re covered in powdered sugar.”

He dragged the back of his hand over his mouth and asked, “Did I get it?”

“Most of it.” I moved closer and ran my thumb over his lower lip to wipe away the last bit of sugar. Then I got distracted by the soft, sensual perfection of his lips. When they curved into a grin, I met Embry’s gaze. He was watching me with an amused expression.

I tilted his chin up and kissed him. The kiss I got in return was sweet and tender. Both of us lingered in the moment, until a deep voice said, “Ah, of course. The honeymooners are doing what honeymooners do.”

Embry and I smiled at each other before turning to my grandfather and Uncle Charles. Merry Christmases were exchanged as they joined us at the buffet, and when our plates were full, the four of us took a seat at the vacant end of the table.

After chatting for a while, I managed to work heading home after brunch into the conversation. I expected some push-back, but Granddad nodded and told us, “I figured you’d probably want to do that. Go have fun, with my blessing. I’m counting on you to be there for my birthday celebration at the end of January, though.”

“We wouldn’t miss it.”

Embry chimed in with, “We don’t have to go that long between visits. Why don’t you both come for dinner in a couple of weeks, whenever it’s convenient for you?”

Uncle Charles declined. He’d gotten tired of the crowds and traffic years ago, and now he avoided coming into the city. But Granddad said, “I’d love to. I’ll call you next week when I’m in front of my calendar, and we’ll nail down a date.” That surprised me. I always went to his house when we got together, not the other way around. That was just our routine, at least for the past few years.

The last time he’d been in my house was during my father’s wake. Losing his only son had devastated him, so I assumed he’d stayed away after that because it was too painful. Wouldhe be relieved that I’d hidden away all those memories when I remodeled the house, or would it upset him? It looked like we were going to find out.

Later on, when we were back in our room packing our bags, Embry asked, “Did I overstep by inviting your grandfather to dinner? After I said it, I realized I should have talked to you first.”

“It’s fine.”

“You both seemed surprised by the invitation, though.” I told him how Granddad had stayed away for the last four years, and he whispered, “I’m sorry, Bry.”

“No, it’s good you invited him.”

“Are you sure?”

I nodded and kissed his forehead. “It’s almost a brand-new year,” I said. “This is the perfect time for new beginnings.”

15

Bryson

As soon as we got home on Christmas Day, we hurried to our rooms to change into pajamas. Dusty followed me instead of Embry for some reason. He stood there wagging his tail while I pulled some wrapped gifts out of my closet, and he was right on my heels as we left the room.

Embry and I arrived at the top of the stairs at the same time. He was holding an armload of gifts too, and when he saw what I was holding, he said, “I thought we agreed to keep it to one present each.”

“Well, you definitely blew that as much as I did.”