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“We went ice skating.”
“It isn’t that cold.” Aldric put his hands on her shoulders and pushed her over to the table where Andrea was already seated.
“I’m not grilling anything since I just got my nails done.” Andrea wriggled her fingers to show off the gleaming new Gelish nail stickers Clary had gotten her.
Clary took Andrea’s hand to get a better look.
Andrea had chosen a design with pastel pink, blue, yellow, and purple.
“I thought you’d choose a boring one to test it out first,” Clary said.
“I watched so many YouTube videos. I knew just what to do.”
Aldric, who had been standing by, wriggled his brows. “See, it isn’t that cold, right?”
It wasn’t. Not with the radiators and the heat from the grill.
“Yes it is,” Oliver complained, then leaned over to Clary. “Tell them you want to eat inside. We can just leave them to grill the food outside.”
“I’m going to make sure you stay outside with us,” Aldric said, and Oliver made a face.
Clary patted Andrea’s leg. “If you’re not cold, switch seats with Oliver so he’ll be closer to the radiator.”
Andrea got up without any complaints. “I’m not cold. Here.”
“Good. Now that that’s settled, merry Christmas!” Aldric said with a wide grin. “I know my meat. I picked the best cuts. Elton and Zane will grill. Oliver said he already got you a present.” He stepped aside when Seth pulled out the chair next to Clary. “Zane refused to let me buy more than two bottles of wine.” He shrugged. “But you have a wine cellar, so—”
“So we’ll stick to the two bottles.”
Aldric’s eyes slitted.
“We drank so much last night. I’m sick of it already.”
“How could anyone be sick of wine?”
Andrea raised her hand. “I’m sick of it too.”
“Me, too.” Oliver walked over to Zane with an empty plate, then came back with a stack of grilled corn. “I don’t enjoy crawling to bed.”
Andrea’s head bobbed up and down.
“Am I living in a nursing home?” Aldric gave them a disgusted look.
“This is my Christmas present, right?” Clary asked. “Then I’ve decided that two bottles are more than enough.”
Aldric pointed at every one of them. “There are seven of us.”
“So?” Clary said. “Maybe we should save one for New Year’s.”
Aldric reeled back in shock.
“I’m hungry.” She slapped her hands on the table. “Less talking. More food.”
“I was going to show you all the wonderful meat I chose.”
Clary got up. “Fine. Do that.” As she walked over, Aldric moved closer.
“Did Seth lecture you about your drinking?”
