I Really Can’t Stay (A.R.’s Holiday Standalones #1)

Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much. Lincoln’s family is amazing, and I’ve had the best afternoon getting to know them. Between helping his mom in the kitchen, and her insisting that we sit in front of the fire and watch a Christmas movie while stringing popcorn garland, it almost feels like home.

“Are you ready?” Lincoln asks with a coy smile. Winding his arm back, he lets a piece of popcorn launch, and I try to catch it in my mouth, failing miserably as it tumbles down my shirt instead.

Laughing, I pick up one of my own. “That was a terrible shot, let me show you how it’s done.”

The popcorn goes flying as a warm feeling embeds in my heart.

Picking up another cranberry, I string it onto my garland strand, continuing the pattern that I’ve been working on.

“You seem like an old garland pro,” Tim comments, watching me as he strings his popcorn on his own strand.

With a smile, I tell him, “This isn’t my first rodeo.”

“Old family tradition?”

“Something like that.” Wanting to change the subject, I ask, “What about you guys? What other family traditions do you have for Christmas?”

“When Lincoln was little,” his mom interjects, “we used to make hot cocoa and drive around to look at lights every Christmas Eve. Now that he is grown, our Christmas Eves look a lot like this, which is just fine by me.”

“It’s been a great day, thank you so much again for having me.”

“Oh darling, the pleasure is ours! When Lincoln told us he was bringing someone home to meet us, we were thrilled. Even though he warned us that it is very new, we are so grateful just to meet you.”

A wave of guilt washes into me, and I look over at Lincoln for reassurance. He offers me a tight smile, the guilt clearly wearing on him, too.

Changing the subject, he says, “Mom, dinner smells delicious. How much longer do you think we have?”

“Oh! I think it’s probably all set to go now. Why don’t we get it set up?”

“Let me help!” Pushing to my feet, I abandon my popcorn garland and follow Tina into the kitchen.

Handing me a pair of oven mitts and a stack of potholders, she tasks me to lay them out on the kitchen table, then grab the casserole dishes. Christmas Eve dinner is all the traditional holiday foods and everything smells divine.

One by one, we arrange candied yams, mashed potatoes, stuffing, macaroni and cheese, green bean casserole, corn, turkey, and cranberry sauce onto the rustic dining room table. It’s a feast for an army, not a family of three and a guest.

“I hope your pants are stretchy.” Tim chuckles, walking into the dining room. He pats his stomach for good measure.

“Wow, Mom, this is way too much food, as usual. Anything I can grab to help?” Lincoln asks, following his dad.

“Nope,” Tina singsongs. “Holly and I got everything! Please, everyone, sit. Let’s eat while it’s hot.”

We fall into easy conversation, and Lincoln tells us stories from the hospital. The table is howling with laughter as Tim pivots into a tale of him and his buddy shoveling snow out of some neighbor’s driveway when his friend slipped and seemingly fell in slow motion like a cartoon character. It was all fun and games until Tim revealed they had to call an ambulance for a broken tailbone, and then Lincoln went into full doctor mode, peppering his dad with questions.

As Lincoln speaks, I find myself daydreaming about a potential life with him. It’s easy to envision myself in this family, but I can’t see Lincoln as anything other than a friend. He’s attractive, but not in the ‘I want to rip his clothes off’ type of way. More in the ‘I’m proud to call him my hot best friend’ kind of way.

Shaking away the thought, I turn my attention to the picturesque scene through the window adjacent to where I sit and watch snowflakes fall. It truly is a winter wonderland just beyond the glass. A white Christmas.

“Looks like the snow is picking up again.” Tina touches my arm, pulling my focus back to the table. “I’d feel much better if you slept here tonight, if you’re comfortable with it. You shouldn’t be out on the roads after dark in weather like this.”

“Oh! I really can’t stay…” my voice trails off as I look out the window again. “I’ll be okay, but thank you so much.”

“If you change your mind, the offer stands.” She pats my arm again before picking up her fork.

“I appreciate it.”

We finish our meals, and it’s the most full I’ve felt, in both my stomach and my heart, in months.

“Let’s wait a while for dessert, dear. I can’t breathe at the moment,” Tim tells Tina as she begins clearing dishes from the table. He lets out a long breath, as though that will help make some room.

“Yes, I was thinking maybe in thirty minutes or so.” She squeezes his shoulder.

“Excellent.”

“I’m so sorry, I have to take this—it’s the hospital,” Lincoln tells us, looking down at his vibrating phone. He pushes to his feet and hurries out of the room.

“Can I help?” I offer Tina, who’s now on her second trip to the kitchen.

“No thanks, sweetheart, you go relax. I enjoy doing dishes. It’s my ‘me’ time.”

Tim’s already moved to his recliner and is settling in. Looking out the window again, I get the crazy urge to go enjoy the snow. I hardly ever see it—it’s not like it snows in San Diego.

“I’m going to go for a short walk,” I tell Lincoln’s mom as I grab my puffer jacket from the coatrack. Taking my beanie from the pocket, I tug it onto my head, then shrug on my jacket.

“Be careful out there, sweetheart, the snow can pick up fast,” she mothers, and it simultaneously warms my heart and shatters it.

“Will do, don’t worry about me. I won’t be gone long. Just want to walk off dinner a little.”

“Sounds like a plan. Make some room for dessert.”

“Be back soon.”

Zipping my jacket, I pull open the front door and step outside. The cold air kisses my cheeks and the tip of my nose, as frosty flurries rain down around me. Pulling my beanie down a little further, I cross my arms and start walking, deciding to go in the direction of the tree farm I passed on my way here.