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“Charlie, what do you want for Christmas?” I asked, changing the subject. “Anything special?”
“Um...” Charlie looked up at the sky, thinking. After a pause, he rattled off a laundry list of things. “A new bike, no training wheels, red. A basketball hoop for my room, an iPad.”
“Yeah, the iPad’s not happening, bud,” Ryder said, shaking his head.
“I can ask Santa. Maybe he’ll bring it.”
“I think Santa mostly deals in toys,” I said, backing up my brother. I’d hate for Charlie to be disappointed on Christmas when he didn’t get his iPad.
“Hmmm.” Charlie bit down on his lip, considering this new development.
“Well, I’ll have to think of something else then, I guess. Because that’s what I asked for at the tree lighting.”
“It’s okay, little man. We’ll write him a letter and tell him about the changes.”
“Cool. Daddy, I’m thirsty. Can I go get some water?”
“Sure, bud.”
“I need a refill, too. I’ll help you, Charlie. Delaney?” Bree looked at Delaney’s empty glass.
“Sure.”
“We’ll bring the boys refills, too. C’mon.” Bree locked arms with Delaney and took Charlie by the hand, leading them towards the house.
Once we were alone, Ryder didn’t waste a second. “So. You and the pastry chef, huh?” He narrowed his eyes, staring me down so hard I had to plant my feet firmer into the ground to resist squirming.
Scrubbing a hand over the back of my neck, I rolled it side to side, buying time. “Yeah, looks like,” I said, shoving my hand into my pocket.
“Must be serious for you to bring her to Sunday supper.”
I swallowed, my throat dry. This is exactly why I liked to keep my private life private. Guess I had to get it over with sometime, though. Might as well make it fast, like ripping off a band-aid
A cold breeze blew, rustling the remaining leaves of the sprawling oak overhead. “Kind of.”
“Just kind of?” Ryder pressed. “You’ve only ever brought one other girl around here and that was Julia.”
My gut twisted at her name. “Yeah, that’s true.”
“So? What’s the deal?”
“We’re dating.”
“Sounds casual.”
“No. Casual’s sleeping together.”
“So, in the world according to Quinn, there’s nothing in between sleeping together and marriage?” Ryder squinted at me, genuinely confused. Ah, relationship guys.
“Dude. Are you writing us up in a gossip magazine? I like her. We’re semi-serious. Dating. I may have even called her my girlfriend.”
“Whoa.”
I shrugged. “Kind of slipped out. But yeah, things are good.”
“Must be, for you to have claimed a relationship. In public. That’s progress, bro.” He chucked me on the arm, grinning.
“Uh, thanks,” I said, one eyebrow cocked. I didn’t really need props from my younger brother on my relationship status.
