Page 83 of The Patron Saint of Timber Hollow

"Well… He didn'tdoanything… really. We were discussing what we were going tobeat dinner today...Friends, or ifmorewas acceptable since everyone here knows what's going on,anyway….and he said, well, we're just friends, right? Let's act like friends." Ivy mimic's Dante's voice best she can, but she says it in a mocking tone, too. That alone tells me she is hurt more than she's letting on about it all.

Sam gasps, and I chuckle as I mutter, "That was dumb of him."

"Yeah. So, since we'rejust friends, I will act like we'rejustfriends."

"What an idiot." Sam agrees, laughing.

Again, the door opens, and I hear Jay greet Aggie. Moments later, I see her head coming up the stairs with Jay behind her, drinks in hand.

My friends warmly welcome her, shouting, "Ayee, Aggie's here!"which makes my aunt and I laugh.

My family arrives no less than an hour and a half later. My mom comes through the door first, loudly shouting, "Artemis!"into space. The girls and I have already come downstairs, watching them approach through the windows. Sam and Ivy disappear with Aggie before the door even opens.

"Hi, Mom," I greet her, taking a bottle of wine from her hands so she can take off her shoes.

Athena and Daisy wander through the still-open door moments later. My sister merely says, "Hey," with a small wave. Then her eyes widen, and she says, "You've met Daisy, right?"

I barely restrain rolling my eyes, instead chuckling. "Yes, though it's been a long time. Nice to see you again, Daisy."

"Nice to see you too, Artemis," Daisy says as she swiftly removes her coat and holds up a small box with a ribbon. "I bakedsome treats; I couldn't come empty-handed," she chuckles, and I smile.

"Thank you; I can't wait to see what you made!" I reply, guiding my family into the dining area where everyone else is gathered.Only a few more hours until they leave!

"I nearly couldn't find the place, you know," my mom says, looking over every inch of our house. "I'm surprised, though; this is prettier than I expected."

"Thanks," I mutter, trying to ignore the backhanded comment.

"Did you design it?" Daisy asks softly.

"Not me, no. I think the boys all did together," I reply, adding, "I did specifically ask for that window seat, though," and pointing towards the second level window. "And those are my books," all of my collection is visible on the giant wall of shelves. It's gorgeous. Dante has even found a few old-fashioned lamps and lanterns to display with little LED candles inside on timers for me. At night, the whole shelf glows. It's honestly my favorite thing in this entire place.

Before anyone can comment on the shelves, I say, "Well, dinner is ready. We were just waiting for you all to arrive before we began, so I hope you're hungry! Mom, do you want this now?" I ask, giving the wine bottle a jiggle.

If there's one thing I'm good at, it's redirecting the conversation away from myself.

"Yes, with ice, please," She replies, and I'm thankful for the excuse to leave her immediate presence. The bouquet Jay brought earlier sits on a side table, proudly drinking a ray of light from the high window.

Aggie takes over Darla duty, showing her, Athena, and Daisy to their places around the table. I can still hear my mom commenting on the house, the vaulted ceilings, and how surprised she is that she likes the lofted arrangements of the rooms upstairs.

With my back turned to them, I don't have to resist the urge to roll my eyes while I walk to the kitchen.

Saint must have noticed because he murmurs, "Hey, Tiny," while slicing the prime rib into big, meaty slabs.

"Are you ever going to open a restaurant, Cinnamon?" I ask, watching him work as I place a large ice ball in a stemless wine glass for my mom.

"I already have one at the pack house. Anything more would take away from my work there," He says, offering me a small slice of prime rib in a pair of tongs. "Open up." Saint orders, green eyes flashing.

"Yes, Chef," I smirk, tilting my head back and opening my mouth for him to deposit the small meat treat. When he does, I moan softly, savoring the flavors.

"How's it taste, Tiny?"

"Delicious. Best meat around," I answer, smirking at Saint as I pop the cork to the wine and pour a bit into the glass. Then I spin on my heel to return to the dining table and the others.

Thankfully, everyone has taken their seats. Jay and the two seats next to him are empty, waiting for Saint and me.

To his left, Dante sits at the end of the rectangular table with Ivy, which is unfortunate, but I didn't think to change it before she got here, given all the stress from my mom's imminent arrival. I'll have to apologize to her later for that unless she's having fun with it already, which, by the smirk on her mouth, may just be the case.

My mom sits opposite Jay, while Daisy and Athena are beside her. Sam and Aggie take up the other end of the table, which, thankfully, means that I won't have to stare directly into my mother's face while we eat.