Page 45 of Home for the Holidays

Jake blows out a breath, and Josh pauses, looking up at the screen and doing a double-take.

“Wait. Are you with a chick? Why are you calling me?”

Pulling on Jake’s arm, I tilt the camera until I’m in view, too.

“Hi, Josh.”

My high school boyfriend blinks a few times. “Rachel? Rachel Levine?”

I let out a nervous giggle. “Hi.”

Jake tightens his arm around me and brushes a kiss to my temple.

“What are you doing with him?” His disbelief is clear to see.

“We’re together,” I tell him.

“I can see that,” Josh says evenly. “Why?”

“Because I love her,” Jake returns.

My stomach swoops, and I look up at him. He’s smiling down at me, his eyes bright.

“I love you,” he repeats.

“I love you, too,” I tell him.

He beams at me.

A gag makes me remember the video call.

“Gross,” Josh says.

“We wanted you to be the first to know,” Jake says. “I know you guys have history, but⁠—”

To my surprise, his brother laughs. “Dude, that was, like, fifteen years ago. That’s in the past.”

I swallow. “So you’re not upset?”

Josh shakes his head. “Seriously, Rach. You were great, but we were never going to work. We were kids. I’m happy you’ve found someone who makes you happy.” He pauses. “Even if he is a supreme dick.”

Jake flips him off.

Shaking my head, I let out a nervous laugh. “We’re inviting the parents up for Chanukah. Do… do you want to come?”

Josh pauses. “Yeah, I guess so,” he finally says. His lip curls. “It’ll be… fun.”

“It will be,” Jake says firmly. “If you wanted to bring your girlfriend…”

“We broke up,” Josh says shortly.

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, well.” He shrugs. “I’ll come visit. Maybe Rach can set me up with one of her friends.”

I laugh. “Sure, bud.”

There’s a clang behind him. “Shit. Gotta go.” He pauses again. “I’m happy for you two. Really.”