Scott’s family, on the other hand, seemed genuinely enthused about the ideas Tess and Scott presented, all agreeing that a wedding should reflect the individual couple’s tastes and wishes.
“Both my sons had perfect weddings for them,” Holly declared happily. “I know you and Scott will have just as nice a celebration.”
“The wedding is just a party, really,” Barry agreed, wrapping an arm around his wife’s shoulders. “It’s much more important to plan a marriage than a wedding. Holly and I were married by a justice of the peace in front of her grandmother’s fireplace three days before I shipped out to Vietnam. We’ll be married forty-four years next month. And I love her as much today as I did then,” he added without embarrassment.
As if in echo of the sentiment, Eli and Jake hugged their wives. The love in the room was almost palpable. Tess swallowed a lump in her throat that seemed to be sharp edged. She glanced through her lashes at Scott and found him studying the back of his hand as if there were something fascinating to be seen there. He was obviously avoiding her eyes.
She was grateful when Madison—or was it Miranda?—interrupted the awkward moment. “We want to open presents,” the little girl insisted. “Please, Grammy. May we please open presents now?”
“Lunch first and then presents,” their grandmother said, smoothing the child’s fine hair.
At the resulting protest, their parents reminded the twins that they’d already opened presents from Santa that morning and they had to be patient before opening the family gifts. They weren’t happy about it, but the girls acquiesced and the family moved into the dining room to begin the meal.
Tess couldn’t help watching the individual family members as they ate. She noted the little things—affectionate touches, shared smiles, teasing pats and pinches. She even heard a murmured “I love you” between Jake and Christina when they thought no one was listening.
As the day passed, she found herself working harder to keep smiling. She wasn’t sure why, because she was having a lovely time with this endearing family.
“Tell us about when Scott gave you the ring,” Libby said when the women were alone in the kitchen later. “Was it romantic? Did he get down on one knee?”
Tess forced a laugh. “I asked him not to do that. We’ve agreed that there’s no need for pretense between us. We’re just ourselves with each other. That has always worked well for us.”
“Good idea,” psychologist Christina approved. “You know each other so well after working together for so many years. It would be counterproductive to start acting differently with each other now. As long as you love each other for who you are, there’s no need to try to change for unrealistic reasons.”
“It’s such a romantic story, though,” the more sentimental Libby said with a sigh. “The boss who falls in love with his valued assistant and finds that she loves him in return. All these years you must have had secret feelings for each other. Now you can openly admit you’re in love. That must be so liberating.”
Tess twisted the ring on her finger, which suddenly seemed heavier than it had before. “Scott and I agree that we’re very well suited,” she said.
The brief silence that followed her words let her know it hadn’t been an ideal response.
She was relieved when Jake barreled into the room. “Tess, you have got to give us the recipe for these pear things. Man, they’re good! Eli’s been into them all afternoon, so I’ve hidden a couple for myself for later. Scott suggested we arm wrestle for the rest of them, but I know Eli would cream me at that, so I’m not taking the chance.”
She was so relieved by the interruption that she spun to him with a too-bright smile. “I’d be happy to send you the recipe. They’re really not that hard to make.”
“These are good, too,” Eli said, munching on a stained glass cookie as he followed his brother into the room.
His wife planted her hands on her hips. “Just how many sweets have you had today, Dr. Prince?”
Her husband grinned. “Calories don’t count on Christmas, remember?”
“Sounds good to me,” Christina said, heading for the dining room. “I’m having one of those pear things. You better not have hidden all of them, Jake.”
Tess was smiling again until she looked around and accidentally locked eyes with Scott’s mother. There was no mistaking the concern on Holly’s face. It hadn’t been there before that awkward conversation about Scott’s feelings.
A hand fell on Tess’s shoulders. “I told you your baked contributions would be a hit,” Scott said with a laugh. “My brothers would marry you themselves if they weren’t already taken.”
She tried to laugh, failed, turned it into a cough. “I think I need a glass of water,” she said, avoiding Holly’s eyes as she moved toward the sink.
* * *
“You’ve gotten very quiet,” Scott said in his car on their way back to her place. “You must be tired.”
“A little,” she conceded. She realized she was holding her hands in her lap, twisting the ring again, and she made herself stop before he noticed.
“Want some music?” He tuned the radio to an adult c
ontemporary station, knowing from past conversations that she had a weakness for pop music, though his own tastes leaned toward classic rock. “I think we’ve had enough Christmas carols for a while, don’t you?”
“Yes. This is fine, thanks.” She was glad for the music, actually. She could pretend to listen and avoid having to make conversation for the duration of the drive.