Marry Me at Christmas

“Really? I was looking forward to making it.”

“The bride doesn’t like it.”

“Oh, well, that changes everything.” She went through the dozen or so appetizer selections. They tasted and narrowed the choice down to four, keeping to their semitropical-Mexican theme.

“We won’t have enough food,” Jonny complained.

“You kind of will,” Ana Raquel told him. “In fact, you’re overfeeding your guests, but as long as the check clears, I’m okay with that.”

They moved on to the soup course. Madeline had to admit that Ana Raquel and her husband had outdone themselves. Each choice was better than the one before. The onion soup was deliciously savory, with a cheesy topping that melted in her mouth. The mushroom soup had an earthy, smoky finish. It was rich enough to make her wonder exactly how much cream they’d used, then told herself it didn’t matter. She was only sampling and everyone knew that sampling didn’t count—calorie-wise.

As they tasted salads, she noticed that Jonny still favored his injured hand. She knew he was due to start another movie in the next few weeks and hoped he would be healed by then.

Thinking about the movie reminded her that he would be leaving when he went off to do filming or whatever it was called in the business. That while he had a house in Fool’s Gold, she wasn’t sure he could be considered a permanent resident.

What would happen to them when he left? Would they still be together? For that matter, she wasn’t sure how together they were now. They had agreed they were exclusively dating. They were planning Ginger’s wedding, but when the holidays were over, did they keep seeing each other?

She supposed the most logical step would be to sit down and have a conversation. That was what most people did. With any other guy, she would have suggested that, but not with him. Mostly because she knew he would ask questions about her feelings and she wasn’t willing to look inside enough to figure out the answers.

Next came the entrées. Madeline had to admit the filets were delicious, especially with the spicy salsa on the side. Ana Raquel said she could also easily do a fish option.

“Any vegetarians?” she asked. “Or vegans?”

“You sound almost eager,” Madeline teased as she texted Ginger.

“I’ve never done much vegan cooking. When in doubt, add butter. But in vegan cooking, you can’t. I think it would be a fun challenge.”

“We define fun in different ways,” Jonny told her. He leaned toward Madeline. “What does my sister say?”

They waited until the text came through.

No vegetarians or vegans, unless Jonny has given up meat. In which case he needs to see a doctor right away.

Madeline smiled. “Steak and fish are perfect.”

“Salmon,” Jonny said firmly. “Wild Alaskan salmon.”

Ana Raquel sighed. “I am so in love with you. I can do a creamy dill sauce that will have your guests whimpering.”

“A sound we all want to hear,” Jonny said with a chuckle.

They moved on to desserts. Madeline made a few moany noises of her own as she sampled decadent dark chocolate mousse, along with Ana Raquel’s famous S’mores Bars. There were also two kinds of cake and a layered trifle.

“We’re going to have wedding cake,” Madeline reminded him. “I think one dessert is plenty.”

Jonny shook his head. “It’s dessert. Two options. The mousse and something else. No one eats wedding cake.”

She thought about the cookies that would be the favor left at each place setting and abundance of food already ordered. Honestly, what did one more course matter?

“You pick,” she said as she reached for her phone. Menu is final. No one will go home hungry.

Ginger texted back a happy face.

Ana Raquel wrote up the final menu. Jonny signed the paperwork and passed over his credit card. Once he’d signed, they walked back to their cars.

“Thanks for meeting me here,” he told her.

“No problem, but I have to get back to the store. I have an appointment this afternoon with a new bride.”

He nodded, then stepped close. After cupping her face in his good hand, he leaned in and kissed her.

“I’ll see you later?” he asked.

“Yes. I’ll be by after work.”

“Not to help with the dogs,” he said with a grin. “I still have teenagers showing up twice a day.”

“That ends tomorrow.” At the Day of Giving. The pet adoption was at the same time. “Oh, I have to be at work. Can you get all four dogs to the event yourself or should I—”