Dash and I laughed as Jackson groaned beside us. “So embarrassing,” he called out good-naturedly as his parents kissed and cuddled right in front of us and the rest of the party.
“You just wait until you find your true love,” a familiar voice called out from our left. “You’ll be embarrassing kids of your own one day, mark my words.”
I straightened at the sound of my aunt’s voice and leaned forward to look around Dash who blocked my view. Sure enough, my aunt with her bobbing brown curls speckled with gray streaks was heading my way, her familiar broad grin lighting up her face.
“Aunt Louise!”
Before I could say anything more she’d pulled me into an embrace that knocked the air out of my lungs. Dash grabbed the cup of eggnog from my hand before I could spill any.
“What a sight for sore eyes,” she sang, rocking me back and forth like I was still a little girl and not a grown woman who towered over her by several inches. “What are you doing here?”
Before I could answer, her shrewd gaze moved from me and to the guys.
“Um…Jackson and Dash invited me.” I had no desire to explain just how I’d reconnected with them at an airport hotel so I changed the topic instead. “I can’t believe you’re here. I was going to call you tomorrow to see if you wanted to meet for lunch.”
Aunt Louise’s eyes were filled with mischievous laughter but she didn’t try to embarrass me in front of Jackson and Dash, which I appreciated. “I never miss a Wray holiday party. Jackson’s mom, Beverly, is my best friend. Always has been and always will be.”
“I didn’t know that,” I said lamely. “But I’m glad to see you here.” I took in her green sweater with Rudolph on the front, the red nose a big pom pom by her right shoulder. “That’s quite the look.”
Her smile grew as she glanced down at herself. “Ugliest sweater wins a pedicure.”
I noticed a number of women Aunt Louise’s age in ugly Christmas sweaters. Now I knew there was a reason.
“Mine’s pretty ugly, but I think Sally’s got it in the bag,” she grumbled.
I didn’t know who Sally was, but if her sweater was worse than my aunt’s it had to be pretty bad.
“I’m glad to see you too, sweetie,” she added. “And I’d love to do lunch with you. We absolutely need to catch up before the vultures descend on you at Jackie’s wedding.”
I laughed at the image. My family did rather resemble vultures whenever I was around. They tended to circle the black sheep and pick at me about my life choices until I was raw and exhausted.
Her gaze once more flickered to Jackson and Dash as Mrs. Wray and two other older women joined our little group.
“Are you bringing a date to your sister’s wedding?” my aunt asked with a forced casualness that fooled no one.
All four of the older women not only shared the wearing of ugly holiday sweaters, but the same mischievous grin.
“Or dates?” Mrs. Wray asked, nudging Aunt Louise in the ribs in a not-so-subtle fashion.
Dash sighed loudly next to me as Jackson made the introductions. “Avery, you’ve met my mother, Beverly, and these are her friends, Sally and Violet.”
“Nice to meet you,” I murmured with a nod, but they didn’t seem to care about introductions. All four of them were staring at me with unabashed curiosity.
“Ladies, this is my niece,” Aunt Louise said. “My sister’s oldest daughter. I’ve told you about her.”
“Oh yes, the travel writer!” Violet, the woman with the chic gray bob, lit up at that. “I can’t wait to hear all about your adventures, dear. Your job sounds fascinating. And you’re so tan!”
Dash subtly squeezed my waist and I thought of the moment they’d discovered my tan lines.
I could feel a blush starting even though I never blushed. I took a sip of eggnog to hopefully hide it, but the women were shrewd.
“Yes, I was in Mexico.”
“How lovely,” Mrs. Wray said. “And impressive. I saw the article you wrote on the receding glaciers in Alaska. Fascinating. Makes me want to plan a trip to see them before they’re gone.”
This woman knew all about me and my job…that must have meant my aunt talked about me. Bragged about me, even.
“Aunt Louise showed you?” I glanced at my aunt.