Lacey joined the Shaughnessys and visited a little with Beth’s in-laws. She had a glass of wine and some hors d’oeuvres before going off to the city to meet her father and grandmother. No one in the Shaughnessy household had breathed a word about Lauren’s plans for after dinner and when Lacey left Beth nearly collapsed in relief.
“Were you worried?” Lauren asked. “It was fine.”
“I threatened to cut their tongues out if Stefano or Ravon spilled the beans. I hope you’re going to tell Lacey pretty soon, let her have her tantrum and we can all move on!”
“I’m sorry, Beth. I don’t mean to make it so hard for you.”
“Hard? This is the most promising holiday we’ve had in a very long time! It’s nerve-racking, trying to keep things from exploding, but I’m so relieved you’re finally doing this. It was so painful to think of my big sister as a victim of that asshole.”
“I wasn’t a victim, honey,” she said. “I’m starting to realize I was an accomplice. I should have done this so long ago. It’s time for Act II—Beau’s house for dessert and coffee and meeting the family.”
“They will love you.”
There were a lot of cars parked along the street, a lot of lights showing from inside the houses as though big families were gathered in almost every one, leaving only a few houses dark. She had to park a block away, which she didn’t mind—it gave her time to settle her nerves.
Beau answered the door, his smile big, drawing her into a hug. “How was Beth’s?” he asked.
“Lovely. Lacey escaped before anyone dropped it that I have a boyfriend, but I’m not going to make it past Christmas. I thought I was the only one afraid of her temper. It turns out everyone is!”
“Well, come in here where everyone is dying to meet you. My mother and sister are cutting your pies.”
“I hope they’re good,” she said.
“Don’t be nervous,” he said, squeezing her hand. “The boys have been telling everyone how sweet you are.”
She stopped walking. “Even Michael?” she asked.
“Even Michael,” he assured her. “Come on.”
Once inside she found the place swarming with people. She was introduced first to Beau’s mother, Christine, a sturdy white-haired lady with a bright smile who grabbed both of her hands and exclaimed it was so nice to meet her. Beau’s brother Jeff introduced his wife and one of his two grown sons and a daughter-in-law, Beau’s sister Jeanette, her husband, two kids and one of them had brought a friend. Beau’s sister from San Diego couldn’t make the dinner. Beau’s boys both said hello, then Drew, apparently after thinking about it, gave her a hug. Michael had brought his girlfriend, Raisa, but Drew said he was headed to Darla’s house a little later. There was a lot of chatter as they asked her about her daughters, oohed and ahhed over their impressive pursuits and asked Lauren all about her job.
“I work in product development for Merriweather Foods. Sometimes I make cooking videos.”
“I think I could do that,” Beau’s mother said.
The women talked jobs and kids and Lauren wanted to know all about Christine’s garden when the kids were growing up. The men wandered off but Beau was never too far away. They joked about growing up in a too-small house and told stories about Beau that had everyone laughing. And before Lauren knew it, over two hours had passed. The words divorce or ex-spouses never came up. And she was exhausted. The stressful anticipation of wondering how she would be accepted, wondering if anyone would challenge her as the other woman, of worrying that Lacey would suspect something while they were at Beth’s house, a full day of people and food, left her tired and anxious to pull the shade on this day. Then she noticed Beau’s mother stifling a yawn and knew it was time.
“Are you sure?” he asked. “Another piece of pie? Coffee? Wine?”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” She laughed. “I’ve eaten so much today, I’ll be lucky if I can roll over in bed!”
It took as long to say her goodbyes as it had to make the introductions and it was after nine by the time she was walking out the door. Beau insisted on walking her to her car. They were barely ten feet down the drive when he pulled her to a stop, put his hands on her cheeks and kissed her in a way that made her wish they could be alone for