My sister-in-law had always disliked me, but this time she took it to another extreme and completely wrecked my Christmas. When no one was looking, she turned up the oven heat, leaving my cherished turkey charred beyond hope. I was devastated.
But as she laughed, karma struck back in the most unexpected way. I never imagined I’d get caught in a full-blown Christmas Day meltdown, but here we are. Josh and I had been married for six months, and I knew his family’s holiday get-togethers were a huge tradition.
Every ornament had to be just right, every meal classic, every detail flawless. “Sam, quit messing with the tablecloth,” Josh said, placing his hands gently on my shoulders. “It all looks great.”
I adjusted my apron for what felt like the hundredth time.
“I just want everything to go smoothly. It’s our first Christmas dinner here.”
“And it will be,” he said, kissing my temple. “Remember how we first met at the office holiday party?
You pulled the whole thing off and it was incredible.”
I smiled at the memory. Two years back, I was the new head of marketing, and he was the CFO who couldn’t stop staring at me all evening. Our romance had been a whirlwind — two years of dates, a magical sunset proposal, and a gorgeous summer wedding that even his sister couldn’t criticize.
“Your sister really doesn’t like me,” I muttered, straightening the silverware again. Josh sighed. “Alice doesn’t dislike you.
She’s just… very serious about family stuff.”
“Serious is a mild word,” I said, glancing at my phone. “They’ll be here in an hour. The turkey’s in, everything’s on track.
I’m so nervous.”
“You know what I admire most about you, Samantha?” Josh wrapped his arms around my waist. “You always stay calm under pressure. Like when the projector failed during last month’s presentation?”
I chuckled.
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