“And we’re invited?” she asked in surprise.
“Yeah,” I said. “They’re like that, pretty open to everyone.”
“Well, it would be nice to meet this boss of yours. The way you talk about him, he sounds like a superhero.”
“Because he is, Ma.” I said it proudly because I’d never been so proud of anyone in my life.
“I’ll talk to your father about it. But either way, we’ll make sure to get him a pie. A good man like that deserves some kind of gift, even if it’s just a pie…and he probably has five Porsches.”
“He’s not like that, Mom. Honestly, if you met him, you wouldn’t even know he was some hotshot. He’s the most down-to-earth person I’ve ever met.”
“Well, now I’ve got to meet the man.”
After we entered through the two gates, we approached a cabin nestled close to the water. The driveway was free of snow, but the white powder was packed everywhere else. The tall pines had snow caked on their branches, and the windows of the cabin were bright because of the merry activity inside.
We parked the car then headed to the front door. Mom carried the pie, which was freshly baked with the heat trapped inside the foil wrapping. Dad wasn’t thrilled at the idea of spending a couple hours with strangers, but he was interested in meeting my boss, to make sure he was good to me.
Even though Dex was the best.
When we approached the front door, the sound of Christmas music was audible. I knocked once, and when there was no answer, I just let myself inside, knowing it was too loud for anyone to hear.
I stepped into the foyer and saw the living room in the rear, his family holding glasses of wine or hot cocoa, all dressed in nice sweaters like they were going to take a holiday picture. There were a couple people I didn’t recognize, probably other family members—also geniuses, no doubt.
It was warm inside, so I immediately shed my jacket and hung it on the coatrack and helped my mom with hers.
Dex came down the hallway, as if he’d just left the bathroom. He was gorgeous, as usual, in a long-sleeved green shirt and black jeans, his masculine triangle shape noticeable in the way his clothing fit him so well. His brown eyes were bright with merriment, as if he was having a good time or had too much wine. His eyes shifted to me, and a sexy-ass smile spread over his lips. “You made it. Merry Christmas.” He came up to me, his eyes only on me like he didn’t notice my parents there.
“Yep,” I said with a nod. “And Merry Christmas to you too.” I turned to my mom. “This is my mom, Hannah. Mom, this is Dex.”
Mom stared at him blankly for a solid five seconds.
Dex continued to wear his polite smile. “Lovely to meet you.” He extended his hand. “Oh, is that a pie?”
Mom snapped out of it when he addressed her hard work. “Blueberry. Wanted to bring something as a thank-you for the invitation.”
“That’s awesome.” Dex took the pie from her hands. “You know what? Blueberry is my favorite.” He balanced it in a single palm. “Ooh, it’s still warm. I’m gonna have to have a piece of this now.” He shook her hand then moved to my dad. “Merry Christmas, sir.”
Dad shook his hand and studied him with the same surprise. “Merry Christmas to you too. I’m Terry.”
“Great to meet you, Terry.” Dex stepped back, still holding the pie. “I’ll be right back. Can I get you guys anything? How about a couple hot cocoas? My mom has a special recipe.”
“Uh, sure,” Mom said, her eyes watching him as he left the foyer and disappeared, probably into the kitchen. Then she turned back to me, her eyes full of intense accusation. “Is that man…your boss?”
Dad stared at me with the same look as he shed his coat.
“Yes,” I said. “I know he’s probably younger—”
Mom gently held up her hand. “That handsome, young, single man is your boss?”
“How do you even know he’s single?” I asked incredulously.
“He ain’t wearing a ring,” she said with a tsk of her lips. “And if that man is someone’s husband, she’s gonna make him wear a ring.”
I was so relieved that Dex was nowhere in earshot. “Mom, be cool.”
“Be cool?” she hissed. “You’re with that perfect man forty hours a week, and you aren’t dating him?”
“Mom.” I lowered my voice to be extra careful. “He’s my boss. Totally unprofessional.”
“So?” Dad said. “Doctors sleep with their secretaries, so why can’t you be one of those secretaries?”
Dumbfounded, I just stared, unable to believe my dad just said that. “Oh my god…”
Dex put a pause to the conversation, thank fucking god, when he returned with two mugs of hot cocoa for my parents. He also had a plate with a slice of pie, which was half-eaten. “This is, like, the best pie I’ve ever had.” He grabbed his fork and sliced it into the crust, getting a bite into his mouth. “Damn, this is good.” He just stood there and shoveled it into his mouth.