page79 (1/2)

So, when I finally felt my phone buzz in my pocket with a text fro much, only a text to let ood feeling—it lether soon In about ten minutes, to be exact

“Hell of a tree, huh?” I glanced in the direction of the voice to see Dad enter the rooe star at the top of the tree He was dressed in a pair of slacks, black loafers, and a red cashmere sweater—very Christmassy in a tasteful sort of way

“It really is Mom would’ve loved it”

He sot it Not sure how big a fan of the holidays Cass is, but someday you’ll have a home to decorate like this Maybe with so down the stairs on Christ for presents”

“That’d be nice” To my surprise, it didn’t feel like a lie when I said it

He placed his hand on ood to have you boys here We’ve had too ood to be home”

“You’re right—it does” One of the only few truths I’d been able to tell over the last few days

Dad gave-ass tree A ho and scary as hell all at once Maybe someday, if we both wanted it

But I needed to get ame The plan was for the Marten fauests arrived So, there was going to need to be so down

I polished off the cup of coffee I’d been working on right in tiine pull up to the house A look outside revealed a late-model sedan, and I knew it could be none other than Mark’s car The family poured out, and I took one last look atsure that I looked family-ready

I was all smiles when I opened the door

Cass’s“There’s the man!”

“Good to see you!” I said “All of you”

I scanned the group,eye contact with Cass She looked beautiful in a casual dark green Christ deal, but the as not quite tux-and-gown—but to round as soon as I saw her Without thinking, my eyes flicked over to Katie, who had a look on her face I could only describe as “odd”

So was up

But this wasn’t the ti like that

“Good to see you, kid,” said Mark, giving me a firm handshake and solid eye contact