A Christmas Arrangement Read Online Free PDF Page B

I thought maybe you’d want to make the stuffing here while I’m with them.  I’ll write the recipe down and go over it with you.  Unless you want to come over to my place while they’re there and we can make it together.”
    “No!  I mean—no, I don’t want to interrupt your time with them.”
    I reached into the cupboard to grab a couple of plates.  His hands slipped around my waist.  He pulled me back against him and nestled his chin on my neck.  “Was inviting my parents a bad idea?”
    I was a horrible human being.  He’d been so excited for them to meet me.  I was sure they were lovely, wonderful people.  How could they not be with such an amazing son?  A son who, for some reason, didn’t see any of my glaring faults.  His parents would see them though.  Of that I was certain. 
    I slowly turned to face him.  “No, it was a great idea,” I said softly.  “I’m just a little—nervous about meeting them.”  I wasn’t nervous.  I was terrified. 
    “You don’t have anything to be nervous about.  They’re gonna love you.”
    “You think so?”
    “I know so.”  He stared down at me with the melting chocolate drops and I started to melt too.  He smiled and I felt my heart race.  He kissed me softly and it felt so sweet.  I kissed him back a little harder.  His hand moved into my hair and cradled the back of my head.  I slid my arms around him and felt a wave of heat come over me as I explored his tight muscles with my hands. 
    His cell phone rang and he let loose of me and leaned back.  “That’s my mom’s ring.”
    I fought off a sigh.  His mother’s phone calls at the worst possible times were becoming a thing.  I let go of him and stepped back, but he held on and pulled me into him again. 
    “This won’t take long.”  He swiped at the phone screen then held the end up to his mouth.  “How’s the best mom in the world?”
    I’d found such a keeper.  I grinned up at him.
    “Hi, Leaky!” Alex cringed. He’d put the phone on speaker, probably wishing better of it now.
    “ Leaky? ” I whispered, then filed that little bit of info for later torture.
    He held a finger to his lips and shushed me, but with a smile.  Adorable.
    “I just wanted to let you know I emailed you our flight information.  We’ll be there on Monday.” 
    “Okay, I’ll print it off when I get home.”
    “Your dad and I are so excited to come.”
    “We’re excited too.”  He winked at me.  “Hey, Mom, Quincy’s gonna make the stuffing for her family’s Christmas party and I’m giving her your recipe.  Anything she should know?”
    “Oh.”  The atmosphere in the kitchen changed as if a wind from the tundra had come through the phone.  After what felt like a five minute pause she replied.  “Well, honey that was your Grandma Pat’s recipe.”
    “Yeah, I know.  I love it, it’s my favorite,” he said.
    “I don’t even know this girl, Alex.  If I gave my family recipes to every girl that streamed through the revolving door you had here, they’d be in every household in America by now.”
    He rolled his eyes.  “Oh, Ma, don’t exaggerate.”
    “Well you told me she works all the time.  Honey, that kind of girl doesn’t know how to cook.  I don’t want her to mess it up.  I’ll just make it when I get there.”
    That kind of girl ?  After my jaw made impact on my chest I looked up at Alex’s reddened face.  He was wide-eyed.  I ducked out of his embrace.  He grabbed my wrist as I tried to make my escape.
    “Mom!  She’s not going to…Hang on a second.”  He tugged on my wrist and I turned to face him.  “I’m sorry, babe.”
    “Babe!”  she said tersely.  “Who do you think you’re talking to?”
    “No, not you, Mom, gross.  Quincy, hang on.”
    “Alex Cooper, am I on speaker phone?” his mother shouted.
    “I’ve got to go, I’ll call you later.”
    I slunk into the living room with my plate of pizza, wondering just how many