“Hi. It’s nice to finally meet you.” I approach her and feel her clammy palm when we shake hands. “Why don’t we check on the food while the men talk?”
When we enter the kitchen, I offer her a glass of water.
“Thank you.” She guzzles down the cold liquid.
Mere stands by the kitchen door and raises her eyebrows at me. I shake my head. Our new guest already looks too tense. We don’t need to pry more into her personal life.
At least, not now.
Inside, it’s killing me to know their story.
Be cool, Clem.
“I’m Clementine, and that’s Merida.” I give her a friendly smile and Autumn’s shoulders relax a little.
“But you can call us Clem and Mere.” Mere steps inside, standing close to me.
“You look very young to be the mother of a teenager.” Autumn facepalms as soon as the words are out of her mouth. “Sorry, I’m just nervous tonight. I meant, you look very pretty.”
Mere giggles by my side. “Clem’s not my birth mom. She and Dad are getting married next week here inside the campus. You and Uncle Luke are also invited.”
“Oh my God, Clem. I love your house.” Kristy’s excited voice reaches us before she and Florence stroll into the kitchen.
“Thanks! We love it too.”
We all share hugs and Merida’s eyes pop out when Florence pecks her on both cheeks. I’m so happy that she’s getting close to my family.
“Gram sent this just for you.” Florence hands Mere a paper bag with the Hawthorne monogram.
Mere’s entire face beams. “Your gram is the sweetest person on earth.”
“Don’t forget to tell her that next time you see her. She lives for compliments.” Kristy’s lips twitch as she winks at Merida.
I turn around from the group to find Autumn standing awkwardly by the fridge.
Crap! Some host you are, Clem.
“Hey, girls, I’d like you to meet Autumn. She’s Lukas’s wife.”
Kristy spews the cold drink out she just poured for herself. Wiping her face with a paper towel, she glances at Autumn.
“I’m sorry, I was just surprised. It’s just that… Lukas never talked about his family.”
Autumn nibbles on her bottom lip, trying to hide the heartbreak palpable on her face. “It’s okay. I realized he hasn’t told anyone about me.”
What’s the story between these two? How does Lukas even have a wife and no one knows about her, until now?
“If we don’t start serving, Gavin is gonna eat your new cutlery, Clem.” Keith’s arrival breaks my trail of thoughts.
“We don’t want that!” I corral everyone out of the kitchen to the dining room.
“Food looks great, Clem.” Florence’s hands rest above her chest as she examines the table with wide eyes.
“And totally safe to eat. Don’t worry, I cooked nothing. Everything came from Tiki’s.”
Before we can get started, Oscar clicks his glass with a dessert spoon and rises from his chair when he has everyone’s attention.
“I’m sorry for hijacking your party, guys, but I want to say something.” He looks between Keith and me seated next to each other on the circular dining table.