She pointed toward a German sedan, which surprised me, although I could tell the car had to be at least fifteen years old, if not more.
"It was my dad's. When it was time for me to commute to college, he gave it to me and bought a new one. I think he's bought two or three more for himself since then," she said.
Her parents intrigued me as much as she did. It was clear they were more invested in her than mine had been in me and Amelia. At the same time, she didn't explain them in a way that indicated they had any warmth toward her. Not like I would expect a family so involved with their children to be.
I helped her into the car and on the drive over tried to explain all the people who would likely be there. When she expressed concern about being an outsider, I let her know that I didn't know most of them very well either. I'd met Max's family at his and my sister’s wedding, which had been a surprise put together by Max after he and my sister got their first marriage annulled. I didn't explain that whole story to Reyna. My sister and Max were blissfully happy, but their history was crazy, and I didn't want to give Reyna any more reason to think this arrangement we were entering was even more crazy or risky.
When we arrived,Amelia greeted us at the door and invited us in. The house was eerily quiet for having a large family gathering.
"I was expecting a house full of people," I said as Amelia took our coats.
"Max is on his way to the airport to pick up his parents and his brother's family. Vivie is already here."
From the foyer, I looked to the living room where Vivie sat on the couch with baby Andrew.
“I'd come say hello, but I am completely enthralled by my nephew. I can’t waste this time because when my mom gets here, no one will have a chance with him. I'm getting my fill."
"Understandable," I said. Of course, Max's brother also had a baby about the same age as Andrew, but I imagine both babies were in high demand by their grandparents.
"I'm so glad you were able to make it, Reyna," Amelia said. "In case it doesn't show, I'm very excited for this Christmas."
Reyna smiled graciously. "Thank you so much for inviting me."
"Why don't you come over here and sit with me, Reyna?" Vivie said. "I'm very excited that there's another single woman here. Come see how cute my nephew is."
Reyna glanced at me, almost as if she were asking for permission. I gave her nod and pressed my hand against her back, giving it a gentle rub. "I need to talk to Amelia. But why don't you go enjoy yourself?"
Reyna looked between me and Amelia, and I think she knew what I had planned to talk to Amelia about, so she looked a little nervous. I did my best to give her a reassuring smile, but it could've been a grimace. I wasn’t one to spill my guts about my feelings or plans.
As she walked over to sit with Vivie in the living room, I watched her for a few moments. When I finally turned my attention to Amelia, she was studying me, one brow arched.
I frowned. "What?"
She shook her head. "What do you have to talk to me about?"
I didn't want to tell my sister about my plans while standing in the middle of the foyer. "Do you have some coffee or whiskey or maybe need help in the kitchen?"
She laughed. "Sure, come on."
I followed her into the kitchen, where she put a coffee pod into her machine and pressed the button to brew me a cup of coffee.
"So, you and Reyna came together, eh?"
The question was loaded with something, but I wasn't quite sure what. "I figured it would be more comfortable arriving at a house full of people she didn't know with someone she knew a little bit."
Amelia thought that over and nodded in agreement. "I'm just curious how well you know her. And by know, I mean, in the biblical sense?"
My jaw dropped. "What the hell are you talking about?"
She rolled her eyes as she turned to the coffee machine, getting the mug and handing it to me. "I saw the way you looked at her at the Christmas party. From the moment she walked into the room, you couldn't take your eyes off her. And then there was the fact that you two disappeared for a while. You know, James, I want more than anything for you to be happy. You've been so focused on the company and earning the board's trust, but I'm not sure sleeping with your assistant is a good thing. It's against the rules, actually."
I shook my head. "Whoa, Sister, I am not sleeping with my assistant." At least not in reality. But I was pretty sure fantasies didn't count in this situation.
Her expression was skeptical.
"I swear to God, there's nothing going on between me and Reyna. Well, nothing like you are suggesting, anyway."
This time, her brows lifted in interest. "But there is something?"