“I’m sorry.” I backed into my room with a wince. “Just remember, you have to be on your best behavior. Liam has been looking forward to this for weeks.”
“I’m not going to seduce you at the dinner table.”
“I’m not just talking about that. I’m talking about you and your dad. No more fighting.”
Adam sighed. “Fine. I’ll make amends once he’s had a few whiskeys.”
“Good, then I look forward to dinner. But first…I need a shower.”
He leaned in as I closed the door. “I could join you…save water…that sort of thing?”
“Ha-ha,” I uttered before closing the door on his gorgeous smile.
Dinner wasn’t a disaster, but it was uncomfortable. While Finn practiced his best manners, I focused on helping Liam with his food—anything to avoid the tapered stares of Adam’s parents.
The conversation was polite, focusing on the family’s new addition, Harrison. If I wasn’t mistaken, I actually felt warmth exude from Caroline and William when they spoke of him. They were clearly smitten, as was everyone else.
Once dinner wrapped up, I excused myself, along with Finn, and made my way out of the dining room. They needed family time, and we…weren’t. Once I reached the door, I turned to hurry my son along when I found him standing beside William.
“Thank you for dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Harlow, and Merry Christmas.”
My eyes shot to Adam as the scene unfolded. His taut jaw mirrored mine.
William’s eyelids fluttered in surprise. “Well…” He cleared his throat. “Merry Christmas to you, too, young man.”
“Come on, Finn,” I rasped out. “Let’s get you ready for bed. Santa will be here soon.”
“Can Adam tuck me in?”
My breath caught as everyone at the table froze.
“Of course he will,” Liam finally spoke, breaking the tension. “Right after you hang your stocking on the fireplace.”
With a grin, Josie pulled out a stocking from under Harrison’s stroller and handed it to Finn. “You can pop it next to Harrison’s, if you like.”
Tears welled in my eyes as he brought it over. My son’s name was professionally embroidered onto the side of the stocking, just like Harrison’s. “Oh, Josie. It’s beautiful.”
“It’s from all of us.”
“Thank you so much!” Finn said, meeting everyone’s eyes. “Sure beats an old pillowcase.”
My cheeks heated. “It sure does.” I directed him out of the room. “Let’s go hang it up.”
After Finn secured his place above the Harlow fireplace, I sent him upstairs while I helped Max get Liam into the elevator. As the elevator doors closed, I headed back to the staircase and flinched as I passed the dining room. An argument had broken out behind the closed doors.
“It’s none of your business!” Adam snapped.
Caroline gasped. “This is our house. Our family. It is our business.”
“This is Grampa’s house, and this ismylife. So no, it’s not.”
“You’re playing a dangerous game, Adam,” his father said. “This is her workplace. She could sue you for sexual harassment and sell her story to the tabloids.”
“She wouldn’t.”
“You don’t even know her!” William growled. “You didn’t even know she had a child until a few weeks ago.”
“Dad, come on,” Grayson interjected.