“My mother has never met a stranger.”

“It felt really nice.”

Andrew’s eyes bounced back and forth between hers. “Earlier, you said you were used to spending holidays alone. Do you mind if I ask why? What about your family?”

“No, I don’t mind.” Lauren took in a deep breath and exhaled. “My parents met in college. They were together for most of it, and during senior year my mom got pregnant. She had me right after graduation, and they didn’t stay together long after that. My dad ended up being the one with primary custody. My mom moved to New York City for medical school, and my dad stayed in Oklahoma for pharmacy school. They met other people, remarried, and both started new families.”

Lauren tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. “Growing up, I always felt like this extra kid that no one really knew what to do with. My parents took care of me, and I wasn’t neglected or anything like that. But I always kind of thought they saw me as this mistake from their college days, and their new families were the real ones. Several years ago, my dad and his wife and kids went to the Caribbean over Thanksgiving. I called my mom and asked if she’d like me to spend it with her. She said yes, so I drove down to Dallas, where she lived at the time. When I showed up for dinner, she’d completely forgotten I was coming. Because she hadn’t planned for me to be there, the dining room table was set up and full to the brim with her children and in-laws, and I ended up on the couch next to the kids’ table.

“I didn’t really have the desire to repeat that, so I’ve spent it alone ever since.”

Andrew’s jaw had drifted down as she spoke, but suddenly he snapped it shut, a muscle popping in his cheek. “What assholes.” His cheeks flushed immediately and he added, “Sorry. Those are your parents and I don’t even know them. But…that pisses me off.”

Lauren looked at her hands. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Yes, it does.”

She didn’t know what else to say, and Andrew took the hint. “So, your dad is a pharmacist, too? Is that why you chose that career?”

“Yeah, initially,” she said. “He owns an independent pharmacy in Cedar Creek and has always wanted one of his children to take over the family business. It’s difficult for independent pharmacies to survive these days, with the chain stores on every corner…but he has a loyal customer base and does some unique compounding that keeps him afloat. I thought that’s what I wanted to do, too.