"I don't like that grimace. She's going pale," Annie assesses with a scowl.
My shoulders snap straight, and I shake my head. "I'm not grimacing." The reply sounds croaky even to my ears.
"No judgment. We know you've been through a lot and Miller's moving fast."
"Fast is quite modest."
"Look at me." Darby's demand is kind yet firm.
I do as she says and catch the gleam of understanding in her light brown eyes. Then something happens, and that understanding transforms into a story she communicates silently. Our history is different, but the parallels are staring me in the face.
"She gets it." Lynda reaches over and pats my arm.
"I do get it, and your support means the world. But for the first time in a long time, I'm one-hundred percent content with things. Miller helped me find my way back from the self-disgust that clung to me. We're moving into the house and taking things step by step after that. Things will slow down and fall into place."
There's a sharp intake of breath and my eyes cut to Annie. "Fill 'er back up, Lynda. We've got more work to do."
Lynda scuttles by, and in less than five seconds, my glass is almost to the rim again. "What did I say?"
"Ain't nothing slowing down for a while, girl. You need to buckle up. We're gonna have a whirlwind of years ahead of us."
"Let's take one step at a time. I think Ashlyn will be fine." Jill winks at me.
"My advice is to take this all in the first time. I had two interventions, one I was clueless to over margaritas and real talk. The next came with an ambush over French martinis,” Darby informs me.
"I'm a quick learner, and even if I wasn't, I'm a master at disguise."
"All I can do is pray Evin finds a sweet thing that can handle him. Lord, Darby was tough enough," Annie pops in.
Darby's eyes bulge, popping out, and she sighs in exasperation. "Evin's going to need to move. Mom will chase even a saint away. Are you sure you're attached to Miller? We can save a world of hurt if we switch out now."
At this, happiness and amusement rush through me, and I throw back my head howling.
•—•—•—•—•
I sneak out of bed, careful not to wake Miller. It's been so many years since I've taken part in this tradition, I wonder if my brothers still do it.
My answer is clear when I step into the living room and find Austin and Andrew sitting on the floor in front of the lit tree with a bottle of Jack Daniels.
Austin's head swings around and he holds up an empty glass. "We've been wondering if you'd show."
I shuffle quickly, sitting in the empty place between them. "I didn't know if you two still did this."
"We wondered if you remembered. It's been a long time." He hands me the glass.
A lump clogs my throat, and I sip lightly, feeling the burn of liquor. "I'd never forget. I'm sorry to miss it these last years."
"You're here now." Andrew shoulders me playfully. "Who wants to go first?"
"I think my year in review is obvious."
"Maybe we should do something a little different this year. Let's go forward. What are we looking forward to?"
"Dad wants me to take over full operations. He wants to travel and move toward retirement. I think I'm ready, but the business is built on his name. There's a chance I’ll run this shit in the ground," Austin admits, filling his glass back up and taking a large gulp.
This is news to me, but not surprising. "Impossible. You are the only one who can keep the legacy alive. You learned under the best. He's not stepping away; he's giving you your shot to make it. I fully support this, and I'm not invested in the ins and outs, but you always have me. I'll do whatever it takes if you need me."
"I'm here, too, brother. I may have chosen a different career path, but it doesn't mean our legacy doesn't matter. You need me, I'm there," Andrew adds.
"Thanks." He toasts his glass, indicating it's someone else's turn.
"I think I want to make some changes in my life and my business." Andrew sounds like I've never heard. "Consulting is great, and all the years I've poured myself into building my reputation have been satisfying. But now, I think there's something else out there."
"Any idea what you want to do?"
"I'm considering a change of scenery. Maybe relocation."
"But you love Atlanta." The thought of Andrew leaving Atlanta is unheard of.
"Thirty-seven years old and never lived anywhere else. The sun, sand, and surf sound good."
"You forgot the important 'S'." Austin doesn't seem surprised at all. I'm too busy looking between them to pick up on the clue at first. Then it hits me.
"What's the important 'S'?" My heart hammers double time, pounding against my ribcage, hoping like hell I know the answer.
"Sister." He smirks. "I want to be near the sun, sand, surf, and my sister."
"Oh God, does this mean...? Are you…?" I stammer over the words, not believing them.
"Yeah, Ash, I think I'm coming to Charleston."
I swallow down a little cry, covering my mouth. "Really?"
He nods, his eyes lighting as he takes a drink. "You aren't the only one that gets to make life changes."
I stare at the tree and feel it coming, helpless to stop the emotions as tears spillover.
"Not exactly the reaction I was hoping for."
"I didn't think it was possible. Considering how my year started, and everything that's happened, but this has been the perfect Christmas. And you somehow made it even better."
"Damn, I thought I had it in the bag with my present," Andrew jokes.
"Maybe we'll get you here next." I bump his shoulder.
"I just told you I was taking over operations for Dad. Unless he plans on expanding, that'll be tough."
I suck in a breath, the idea hanging in the air. "Maybe…"
"Let's take one step at a time. Your turn."
I swipe my cheeks and hug my knees to my
