More than Once

13

I got out of the car, grabbed everything I’d picked up at the store on my way over, and trudged along the icy path to Becca’s sister’s house. It was two stories, with most of the windows lit up, a porch decorated with twinkling white lights, and a fresh-smelling green wreath on the door. I caught a glimpse of a Christmas tree inside as I rang the bell.

An older man opened the door, and he had the same warm brown eyes as Becca. “Well, hello, young man. Are you Brett?”

Oh, right, I had to go by that name tonight. What a pain. I already knew I’d mess that one up at some point. “That’s me.”

“Come in, come in! Wow, it’s really coming down out there, isn’t it?” He stepped back and ushered me inside, taking the bag that held the wine. “Let me help you with that. I’m Becca’s father, David.”

As we shook hands, a short, plump woman with Becca’s smile entered the hallway, along with a tiny black-haired girl wearing a cape. The woman rushed forward and gave me a warm hug before I could react. “I’m Evelyn, Becca’s mother. It is so wonderful to meet you!”

I offered her the bouquet of red and white flowers I’d brought. “Thank you so much for inviting me to spend Christmas Eve with you. I know it’s not much, but I thought these might look nice on the table.”

“They’re beautiful,” she said, taking them from me and smelling them. “That was so thoughtful of you.”

“It’s nothing,” I said, giving her my trademark nice-guy smile. Parents always loved me. Too bad their daughters always left me for guys with tattoos and piercings.

“This is Hannah, Becca’s niece,” Evelyn said, patting the head of the black-haired girl. Hannah peered up at me with dark eyes but didn’t say anything.

“Hey there,” I said to her. “Do you like sparkling cider?”

“Yes!”

“Okay, good. Because I brought some and I need someone to help me drink it tonight.”

She bounced up and down. “I can help! I can help!”

“I’m not sure this one needs any more sugar,” Evelyn said, laughing.

“Grandma, pleeeeeeeease,” the girl whined. “He brought it for me!”

She patted the girl’s hair with a smile. “Fine, one glass of cider. But only because it’s Christmas Eve.”

“Yes!” She zoomed off into the other room, her cape trailing behind her.

I smiled at Becca’s parents. “I also brought some wine, since Becca mentioned you were out. She didn’t say what kind you liked, so I picked out some whites and reds that I know are good.”

David pulled one of the bottles out of the bag. “We’ve had this wine before. Nice choice.”

“Here, let me take your coat,” Evelyn said. “Then you can relax in the living room while we wait for dinner.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

As I shrugged my coat off, I caught sight of Becca standing at the top of the stairs, watching the entire scene with amused eyes. She wore a dark green dress that showed off her curvy legs and dipped low enough to tease me with her perfect breasts. Below it, she wore her signature combat boots, which made me smile. I was glad she hadn’t changed too much since I’d last seen her.

Another woman joined her and I did a double-take because she looked almost identical to Becca, but with longer hair and a red dress. I’d had no idea Becca’s sister was an identical twin.

Becca descended the stairs and gave me a quick peck on the cheek. “Thanks for coming. You look great.”

I’d worn my shirt and tie from earlier, but ditched the suit jacket and changed into dark jeans. She hadn’t said what the dress code was for tonight, but it seemed I’d chosen well. “And you look incredibly beautiful.”

“Thanks.” She smiled and gestured to the girl in the red dress. “This is my sister, Trish.”

“It is so nice to meet you, Brett.” Trish seemed to stifle a giggle at that last word, and I wondered if Becca had told her the truth.

“It’s my pleasure. You’re just as stunning as your sister is.”

“Oh, I like him,” she said, grinning at Becca.

Becca rolled her eyes, but any response was cut off by the front door opening again. An Asian guy with short black hair walked in and set down an armful of firewood. He yanked off his beanie, stomping the snow off his boots. Trish gave him a sharp look and left the room without a word.

“Can’t believe how much it’s snowing out there,” he muttered, as he brushed ice off his coat.

“Daddy, you’re home!” Hannah called out, racing over to him.

“Sure am, sweetheart.” He scooped her up, swinging her around.

“Ew, you’re covered in snow.”

“Sorry about that.” He set her down and looked over at me. “Hey, I’m Matt, Trish’s husband.”

“I’m An—Brett.” I shook his hand, inwardly cringing at my near mistake. I’d have to be more careful. “Becca’s…boyfriend.” She’d called Brett that in the parking lot, if I remembered correctly.

“Cool. You driving home tonight?” he asked, and I nodded. “Be careful. Storm’s getting worse out there and I bet the roads will be slippery. I haven’t seen it this bad in years.”

“Oh, dear. Well, it’s nice and warm in here,” Evelyn said, clapping her hands together. “We have a fire going and everything. And now that Matt’s back we can eat in a few minutes. Until then, why don’t ya’ll wait in the living room?”

Hannah dashed forward, leading the way for the rest of us. Becca and I waited until the rest had gone through, and she slid her arm through mine, whispering, “Thanks for this.”

“You’re welcome.” I set my hand on top of hers, enjoying the feel of her at my side, and led her into the living room. The house looked like something from a magazine, all perfectly decorated and tidy, with professional pictures of the family hanging from the walls. On one side of the living room was the Christmas tree I’d glimpsed from the window earlier, and a warm fire was going beside it.