Vera waved her off with a laugh. “Bitch, please. You’re family. You’re not imposing.”
“Are you sure?”
“Totally. In fact, why don’t you go help Mason get the rest of the decorations from the garage?”
“That I can do.” Jokingly saluting Vera, Melanie headed out the back door. She shivered in the late November air, wishing she’d put a jacket on first. Thankfully, the garage wasn’t too far away. Melanie hurried her pace as she went in through the unlocked side door. “Mace?”
“Over here,” Mason’s muffled voice called out from somewhere in the garage. Navigating around Isla and Vera’s vehicles, Melanie found Mason in the large closet under the stairs.
“I thought you came out of the closet years ago.”
“Ha ha,” Mason rolled her eyes as she handed Melanie a heavy bin labeledornaments. Melanie huffed, quickly sitting it down by her feet. “Says the woman who has been living in a glass closet for most of her life.”
“Your mother would tell you not to talk that way to me.” Melanie playfully arched an eyebrow at Mason.
“Then it’s a good thing my mother isn’t here.”
Mason’s smirk looked so much like Isla’s that Melanie couldn’t help but remember when she’d first met the Mackenzies. Melanie had moved to the Cove after college, ready for a fresh start at one of the best hospitals in the state. As soon as she interviewed with Vera, Melanie knew she’d found the perfect place. Vera became like a sister to her and by extension, Mason was her niece.
And when Vera had Ellie and Brayden, Melanie had been right there. She’d been among the first to hold them; been the one to help Vera with breastfeeding. Melanie knew so many of her memories were intertwined with Mackenzies because they were her family.
More so than Rob’s family ever had been.
Well. Except for her nieces. And Mia.
It was mainly just Rob and his judgmental parents Melanie didn’t particularly care for.
At least I don’t have to spend a holiday with them ever again.
Melanie silently scolded herself for the thought.
“So, why aren’t you withCameronin Tennessee?”
Mason’s question pulled Melanie out of her memories.
“Because I wanted to spend the holiday with my favorite niece.” Melanie playfully pinched Mason’s cheek as she rolled her eyes. “Besides, I could ask you why you’re not spending the holidays withChase.”
“Because apparently neither of us are spending the holidays with our best friends.”
Best friends,Melanie chuckled to herself.
“What’s that laugh for?”
“Just wondering if your tongue has been in your best friend’s mouth.”
“Wait!” Mason loudly gasped as she put her hands on her cheeks. “Are you saying you and Cameron havekissed?!”
“Perhaps.”
“Aunt Mel!” Mason squealed. “You’ve been holding out on me. Does Mama know?”
“Duh, your mama knows everything.”
“She totally does.”
“There’s two things I know for sure about Vera,” Mason grinned, putting her hands on her hips. “She’s loyal to her friends to the death and she can’t keep a secret.”
“You do know her well.”
