The whole room went dead silent, like someone had just squeezed all the air out of it.
Ava's face drained of color. All that smug, happy glow vanished in a second. She shrank back behind Sebastian, like she wanted to disappear into the wall.
Sebastian's smile froze on his face. Shock flashed in his eyes, then he quickly masked it with his usual gentle, concerned expression.
"What... what are you two doing here? I thought you were in Cabo."
Mom didn't answer right away. She walked slowly to the center of the room, my hand in hers, her gaze sweeping over the stunned faces at the nearby tables.
"What, Sebastian? Am I not allowed in my own family's hotel?" she said, quiet and sharp. "Or did I interrupt your little private Christmas with your friend here?"
The guests started whispering, t
