by Nella Tyler
Chapter Four
Patrick
I checked the time yet again as I tried to get the knot in my tie right. I was anxious to see Mackenzie in the dress she’d bought for her parents’ party, but even more than that I had to admit I was a bit nervous about meeting her family, even if it was just for New Year’s Eve.
“Did you buy that tie for the party?” I turned to look at Landon, dressed in warm pajamas for the trek to his grandparents’ house. He always spent New Year’s Eve with Joanne’s parents, and normally I was with him—but this year would be different for us both.
“I did,” I told him. “I bought it to match Mack’s dress.”
“That’s silly,” Landon said, frowning in confusion.
“It’s something you’ll understand when you get older and go to parties with women,” I explained. Mackenzie had sent me a picture of the dress she’d gotten a couple of days before, and I’d spent the day before New Year’s Eve scouring menswear sections to find a tie that would go with it. I’d even gotten her a corsage from the florist who’d had the peonies she loved; I knew it was a hokey tradition, but I hoped she would appreciate it.
Mack had told me while we cuddled in bed the night of our last date that the party wasn’t a situation for a tuxedo, but that everyone tried to dress at least a little nicely, so I’d found one of my better suits to wear for the event, and made sure it wasn’t stained before I even went after the tie to wear with it.
“What are you going to do with Mack at the party?”
I smiled, checking my reflection in the mirror to make sure the tie looked right. “We’re just going to listen to music and dance, and talk to people. It’s not like a kid’s party.”
“That doesn’t sound like a lot of fun,” Landon said, looking at me doubtfully.
“There will be food and things to drink. It’s a grown-up party.”
“No games?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. There might be.”
“It’s going to be weird to not be with you at ball drop time,” Landon told me. I hesitated and looked at my son.
“I know it’s going to be weird,” I said, crouching down and getting to my son’s level. “Maybe next year we can all go to a party together—me, you, your grandparents, and Mack.”
Landon brightened. “Do you think so?”
I grinned. “I hope so!” I tousled Landon’s hair. It occurred to me that according to the bet we’d made—that I could find Landon a new mom before the New Year—I only had one day left to win it. “Do you think I can seal the deal with Mack by tonight and win our bet?”
Landon looked thoughtful. “I really want double presents,” he said slowly, “but I want to have Mack live with us, too. I wish she could be my mom.”
My heart twisted inside of me and I felt happy and sad at the same time.
“Well, it’ll probably take me a little while to get her to be your mom,” I said, holding Landon’s gaze. “But she’s in our life now, and I’m going to do everything I can to keep her with us, if she wants to stay. How does that sound?”
“I hope she stays,” Landon said.
“Let’s get your backpack packed, so I’m not late to pick her up for the party,” I suggested. Landon darted out of my room and into the living room to gather up the toys I’d told him he could take to his grandparents’ house, and I checked myself in the mirror one more time, and then left the bedroom to supervise the last mad dash of my son’s packing.
I grabbed the corsage and a bottle of champagne out of the fridge, bundled Landon up into a heavy coat over his pajamas, and helped him get into his seat in the car. I would have just enough time to drop him off at my in-laws’ house, pick up Mackenzie, and get to her parents’ place outside of the city, assuming that traffic hadn’t started up early.
“Are you going to kiss her at midnight?” I heard Landon kicking his feet against the seat bottom as we made our way to his grandparents’ house; traffic wasn’t as bad as it would be in a few hours, but it was still the same heavy Chicago flow as always.
“Probably,” I said. “Think you’ll be able to make it all the way to midnight this year?”
“Gramma said that I could have a little coffee milk to stay up,” Landon informed me; I laughed.
“Well I will call you and let you know if I got to kiss Mack when the ball drops, how about that?”
“Only if you’ve stopped kissing her,” Landon said with a giggle. “Otherwise I won’t be able to understand you.” I snorted, picturing Landon’s idea in my head. It felt good—and right—between Mack and me again. I was glad that Jess had made me clear the air and make the big, romantic gesture—I was glad that Mack had happened to see me with Jess so that we could get things straight between us. I was still nervous about meeting her parents, since I knew it was a big step, but I was ready for it.
I got to Joanne’s parents’ place as quickly as traffic would let me, and my heart started beating faster as soon as I had given Landon a kiss goodbye for the night. I knew I’d be thinking of him while I was with Mack, but if she couldn’t handle that then it would just mean that things would have to run their course and the relationship wouldn’t go any further than it already had; but I thought I could count on her, of everyone I had ever dated, not to mind that I was thinking of my son while I was with her. I pulled out of my in-laws’ driveway and sped down the road to make sure that I could get to Mackenzie’s apartment on time. If I was lucky we might even have time for a kiss and a hug before we had to get back on the road or risk being late.
Chapter Five
Mackenzie
By the time I heard Patrick’s knock at my door I was almost in a frenzy, I was so anxious. I had spent most of the day—once I’d gotten out of work after lunch—getting ready, and my parents had called three times to confirm that I was coming and that I was bringing a date. I’d rushed home from the clinic and immediately started a hot bath while I took out all the things I’d planned to wear for the evening. My parents liked to see everyone dress up a bit for New Year’s, but it wasn’t quite a completely formal occasion; so when I’d known that I was going to be bringing Patrick with me, I’d taken the time to find the perfect dress, along with a great pair of shoes to go with it, and a little bit of jewelry.
I had made sure that everything went together perfectly and put all the pieces where I could get to them and then I’d slipped into the hot bath, soaking in the fragrant water for almost an hour with a conditioning treatment in my hair. I’d pulled the plug and took a shower, rinsing the treatment out and scrubbing myself from head to toe. I wasn’t always as good about shaving in the winter as I was in the summer. I wore jeans or tights and long sleeves almost all the time, and until I’d met Patrick a few weeks before, I hadn’t been dating anyone. But I wanted to be as flawless as possible for the party, so I went over everything with the razor twice and made sure I was silky smooth everywhere.
Once I finished in the shower I wrapped myself up in my thickest, fluffiest robe and slathered lotion everywhere that would show with my dress. I blow-dried my hair and took a minute to gulp down a cup of coffee and eat some toast to keep my stomach from going sour, and then I was back to getting ready for the big night. I did my makeup more carefully than I had in weeks, and pulled my hair back into a style I’d looked up while I had a lull at work.
By the time I hurried to the door at the sound of Patrick’s knocking, I was as flawless from head to toe as I could possibly be: perfumed, made up, my hair done, and in a dress that fit me just perfectly. I’d be a little bit cold going to and from the car, but I had a long coat to wear and it wouldn’t be too long before I was in the warmth again.
It was all worth it when I opened the door and saw Patrick’s reaction. For a moment he stood in my doorway, staring at me in obvious amazement, speechless. I took in the sight of him in the suit he’d chosen, and I realized that he’d either found or bought a tie that would go perfectly with my shimmery blue-and-green dress; it was the same
colors, but without the sparkle. Then I noticed that he had a box from a florist shop in his hand.
“You got me a corsage?”
Patrick shook his head quickly, the surprise disappearing from his face as he smiled. “I know it’s corny, but I thought you might like it because it’s corny,” he admitted. I blushed, and Patrick opened up the box to reveal the corsage: it was a white rose in full bloom, with ferns and baby’s breath tied to it.
“Pin it on me,” I said, tingling all over. Patrick took it out of the box and carefully pinned it to the front of my dress, and I took advantage of how close he was to kiss him quickly, barely remembering not to press myself against him or else I would crush the flowers.
“I bought a bottle of champagne to bring with us, too,” Patrick told me, taking my hand in his. “Are you ready to head out?”
I kissed him again and nodded. “Let me just grab my purse really quick and then we can go.” I locked the door behind me and pulled my coat tight as we walked down the hall and then made our way to where the SUV waited outside. I was so excited—and so nervous at the same time—that for a minute or two all I could do was shiver in silence, waiting for the heat to come up in the car as Patrick pulled out of the parking structure attached to my building and got onto the road.
I’d told him that we needed to be there by seven o’clock sharp; technically the party wouldn’t start until seven-thirty, but I wanted to have a chance to introduce my parents and siblings to Patrick before everyone started to arrive. “Landon didn’t think the party sounded too exciting,” Patrick told me, adding with a grin, “Of course any party without a ball pit or a clown would be boring to him.”
I laughed. “There’s going to be lots going on,” I told Patrick, settling in the seat as the heat started to kick on in earnest and the chill melted away from me. “My parents have had years to come up with a bunch of silly traditions that they have to do on New Year’s Eve.”
“Traditions are great!” Patrick pulled onto the highway, headed out of the city. “What kind of silly traditions are we talking about here?”
“Everyone has to put their resolution down on paper and put it in a fishbowl,” I told him, shaking my head as I remembered when my parents had first come up with that particular tradition when I was about ten years old. “Then, before midnight, they read out the different resolutions and everyone has to guess which one belongs to who.”
“That sounds like fun,” Patrick said, smiling. “Good way for new people to get to know each other.”
“They also do this thing where they do joke awards for the people attending the party,” I said. “Like, most likely to get arrested in the New Year or most likely to have a new kid, things like that.”
“Does everyone get a ballot?”
I smiled. “I’ll help you fill yours out,” I told him. Patrick got up to cruising speed and reached over to take my hand.
“There is one thing I want your help with tonight,” he told me, bringing my hand up to his face and kissing my palm; it was just enough contact to send a jolt of heat through my body.
“What’s that?” I asked, once I was able to breathe again.
“I want to call Landon just after midnight. Do you want to be in on the call? I think it’d be really special for him.” Patrick glanced at me quickly. “Normally I’m with him—and my in-laws—for New Year’s Eve, and this is the first year since he was born that I haven’t been there.”
“You should have told me!”
I felt a flicker of guilt for taking Patrick away from a tradition with his son.
“He can spend this year with just them,” Patrick said firmly. “And assuming we’re still together this time next year, we can work out what we’ll do for the night all together. But would you want to be in on the call?”
“Of course!” I smiled. “If he’s still up that late, I’d love to tell him Happy New Year’.”
“I assume I’m going to be your New Year’s kiss, right?”
I laughed and made a face at Patrick. “Of course. Why else would I have asked you to come with me to the party?”
“Landon very specifically said he wanted me to call after I’d finished kissing you—I wanted to make sure that was on the schedule too.” I felt my cheeks warming up, but I was too happy to be completely embarrassed at the question.
“As soon as we’re done kissing, then,” I said. “I can show you where it’ll be quiet enough to actually hear him.”
We made small talk the rest of the way to my parents’ place, and I felt myself getting more and more excited. Everyone in my family was going to meet Patrick, and I couldn’t imagine any of them not falling completely in love with him the way that I had. I wanted to see the looks on my siblings’ faces, the way my parents would approve of him immediately. I couldn’t wait for midnight to come, when I could give Patrick the first kiss of the New Year, and then we could call Landon together.
I directed him onto my parents’ street and as we got closer to the house I saw that even though we’d gotten there early, there were already a few people at the party. Oh well. It’s not that important. He’ll still get to meet the fam before everyone starts coming, and it’ll save you the trouble of a few introductions, I told myself as Patrick found a place on the street to park.
“Are you sure you’re going to be warm enough for the walk to the door?”
“As long as we make it fast, I think I’ll live,” I said, though as soon as I opened the door I felt the goose bumps break out on my legs. I took a deep breath and climbed out of the SUV, tugging and rearranging my dress to make sure it fell the right way. I handed Patrick the bottle of champagne he had brought in the car, and he kissed me quickly on the lips before taking my hand. It wasn’t quite enough to keep the chill off of me, but I still felt a little warm as we walked up the street and then along the walkway leading to my parents’ front door.
I knocked on the door quickly and then just opened it and stepped inside. “Hey, everyone!” I called out, leading Patrick in behind me. He closed the door and I looked around, letting go of his hand so that I could take my coat off. “If I’d known people were going to come early I would have spent an hour less getting ready.”
I heard a shout from the living room, and my parents appeared first, leading my siblings and the few guests who had already arrived to come and greet me. “Mom, Dad—everyone; this is Patrick, my boyfriend.” I took Patrick’s hand and tugged him a little closer to me, looking at everyone to see their approval. I saw Alex, John, Evie, and their spouses; Evie looked almost envious at the sight of Patrick, and I felt a little gush of pride at my gorgeous boyfriend. I saw one of the neighbors and one of my mom’s former coworkers, and smiled at each of them.
Someone else came out of the living room to join the rest of the party, and I peered closely at the approaching figure. All at once he stepped into the light and my heart stopped in my chest for just a moment. I looked at my parents in shock as I recognized who it was, and my hand must have tightened on Patrick’s because he gave me a quick, concerned look. My parents had invited someone I hadn’t seen in years; they’d invited my ex-boyfriend Noah—the first guy I’d ever fallen in love with seriously, when I’d started at college.
Chapter Six
Patrick
I was nervous enough when we got to Mack’s parents’ house. When she started introducing me to everyone, I started to feel at ease; but when I felt her hand tighten on mine and saw the look of shock on her face, I wondered who her parents could have possibly invited that would make her look almost afraid. “You’re our daughter’s new boyfriend,” an older man said, coming up to me. I let go of Mack’s hand and took stock of the guy; after a moment or two I could tell that he was definitely Mackenzie’s dad—there was something similar in the face, in the hair.
“I hope so,” I said, grinning wryly. “I guess that depends on how well I do tonight.” The man laughed and I shook his hand, holding the bottle of champagne up to offer it to him. “I f
igured you would have plenty of drinks on hand to toast the New Year, but I didn’t want to show up empty-handed to meet Mackenzie’s parents.” A woman who looked even more like Mack than her father stepped up and took the bottle from me.
“That was so thoughtful!” she gave me her hand and I shook it as well. “I’m Mack’s mom, Kate; and this is her father, David.”
“Pleased to meet you both,” I said, nodding. “As Mack already said, my name is Patrick.” I looked over at the woman I loved; she hadn’t quite recovered from whatever had shocked her, but she was pretending to be okay, talking to one of the other women gathered in the entryway. “Is there someone here Mack wasn’t expecting to see? She looks stunned.”
“That…” Kate looked a little embarrassed, glancing away from me at a tall, slim guy; he’d been the last to come in, and he was dressed in a rumpled suit, with his dark hair combed back off of his face, brushing his collar. Kate grimaced and gave me an apologetic smile, leading me into the living room as everyone started back in that direction. “I’m really sorry—I made a bad decision this week.”
“Is that so?” I glanced at Mack again; she was starting to lose the flustered, flushed look, but I wanted to ask her what was wrong nonetheless.
“I’ll have to apologize to Mack later,” Kate said, sighing. She licked her lips, looking nervous for a moment. “I hate to say anything bad about my daughter, but I thought that maybe she had made you up.”
