Mom answered, “It’s so refreshing seeing you like this. All happy and dating someone.” Dad simply nodded alongside her with a small smile.

My cheeks flushed. “Oh, yep. Mhmm.”

She continued. “I mean we thought for sure you would end up as a lonely cat mom with the road you were headed down—“

“Denise.” Dad patted her knee.

“No, really. We figured you went into a deep depression and would start with one kitten and then lead to two and eventually an apartment full of hair balls and wet cat food. I mean we prayed and pray—“

“Honey. I think she gets it,” Dad said a little louder.

“Oh right.” She smiled sheepishly. “Well you know.”

And for the first time, I found myself extremely thankful to have met Finn.

When we arrived at the tree farm, it was slim pickings. There was the classic Charlie Brown tree with about three branches and a dream. Or there were the twelve-foot trees that would take a whole village of elves to get in the house.

Finn went with Matt and Dad to get us hot chocolates before we all began walking down the aisles. He came back with two red cups and a bright smile on his face.

“What are you smiling so big for?” I asked.

He took a sip of his drink and licked his lips. “Your dad told me I was a ‘stand-up guy.’” It took everything in me not to tell him my dad tells everyone they’re a “stand-up guy.”

I took a sip of my own scalding-hot drink, wishing I’d cooled it off first so I could’ve saved myself from burning the tip of my tongue.

“Well maybe he’ll be your fake boyfriend next Christmas.” I said, and Finn chuckled next to me loudly.

“What’s so funny?” Logan asked as he walked up to us.

“Olive thinks she’s a comedienne.” Finn placed a hand on the small of my back and my stomach flipped with his touch.

“Oh yeah.” Logan looked at me and I glanced away to avoid eye contact with my sister’s husband. “She was always a funny one.”

I choked on my drink and coughed loudly. I bent forward and leaned my hands on my knees, trying to catch my breath.

“You okay, babe?” Finn asked, his hand rubbing soothing circles on my back.

I let out a strangled, “Yep,” and thanked God that Mom came by right after.

“Is everyone ready?”

“Yes!” I answered for everyone even though my voice was still strained. I laced my fingers through Finn’s and pulled him with me to quickly escape any more talking with Logan. Like the good little fake boyfriend he was, Finn strolled alongside me with my hand in his. His tall frame gave him an advantage for seeing farther down the aisle, and my shorter stature could see the fullness of the tree.