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His foot brushed hers under the table playfully. “In a good way though.”
“If you say so,” she said noncommittally.
Clark placed a hand over his chest as if she’d wounded him. “Wow, I see you. You do have a little bit of a mean streak. It’s tiny but there.” She stuck her tongue out and he chuckled. “As to your confusion as to why some people might not be thrilled for the holidays, not everyone looks at them the same. People of different religions and cultures celebrate their own holidays, not to mention Christmas is extremely commercialized, and shoved down our throats even before Halloween is over. I can understand how other people may get sick of it all.”
“I will give you that,” Merry conceded. She enjoyed that Clark didn’t just agree with her because he thought that’s what she wanted to hear, but seemed to relish debating various points. “I remember walking by the craft store right after Halloween and she had this sign that read Happy Hallowthanksmas and I thought that was so accurate because really, we make a big deal about Halloween, then Christmas stuff comes out in stores, with a sprinkle of fall and Thanksgiving décor, and once that day is done, Christmas is everywhere. When I was a kid, it seemed like December 24th took forever to arrive, but as an adult, time flies.”
“I didn’t have that problem, since we didn’t celebrate. My mother didn’t change the house décor for holidays unless they were having friends over, and my dad thought Christmas lights were a ridiculous energy suck.”
“Your dad is definitely a Declan.”
He chuckled. “Maybe it was their lack of love for the holidays that made me such an advocate for them. Jace and I start planning for Halloween after the Fourth of July. Did you see our costumes?”
“No. I didn’t know you even dressed up.”
“Oh yeah.” Clark pulled out his phone and scrolled through. “We do family costumes every year. The one year Sam visited for Halloween, we all went as pirates.” Clark handed it to her. “This year, Jace was Spider-Man and I was Dr. Octopus.”
Merry awwwed at the picture of Jace crouched down with his wrist up and Clark standing behind him in a brown leather jacket with tubes coming out the back. “How did you make the tentacles?”
“Bought some duct tubing at the hardware store.”
She returned the phone to him. “That is very creative. My mom made our costumes until we got a little older and asked for store-bought ones. I think she still has all of them. She hates to throw anything away in case we need it later. They have two storage sheds and I think my dad will need a new one before spring.”
“I’m not handy with a needle at all. Jace wanted to learn to sew and I bought him this kids’ machine for his birthday. I almost took my finger off with it.”
“You did not!” Merry chuckled.
Clark grinned sheepishly. “No, but when he saw my stitching, he told me he’d just look up tutorials on YouTube.”
“Ah, the joys of the computer era. If Dad doesn’t know, ask Google.”
“Exactly. That’s why I don’t have an Alexa in the house. Especially with my brother living with us, Jace would be asking her what everything meant and there are some things I’m not ready to explain.”
Merry choked on her wine and covered her mouth with a napkin until she finally swallowed. “Oh God, you better watch out for my mother. She had an open-door policy with us and she would answer any questions we asked. She watered down some answers depending on how old we were, but yeah, he’ll learn all kinds of new things.”
“Like penalty taxes on tip jars?”
“What?”
“When my brother questioned his practices on swear word fees, Jace threatened him with a penalty tax.”
Merry held her glass up in a toast. “He will make an excellent banker. Or CPA. My mom will probably buy him his own printing calculator for Christmas if she hears that story.”
“Your mother is great. Really, both your parents are. Your dad brought by chicken noodle soup and vitamins for us tonight right before I walked over to your place.”
“I’m assuming he didn’t run you off since you’re here,” she murmured.
“He didn’t talk about us dating except to say I will treat you with respect. I promised I would.”
“I feel very respected, so you’re safe. For now,” she deepened her voice to a creepy whisper.
“Yikes, consider me scared.” He finished the last bite of his steak and set his empty plate off to the side, rubbing his stomach with a groan. “I think I ate too much.”
“That is why I ordered the salad instead of the baked potato. Leaves room for dessert.”
“You’re on your own for dessert, I’m afraid.”
“I’m not talking about here. I bought your favorite dessert and it is waiting for us back at my house.”
