In a Holidaze

Mae realizes that her brother and Theo have cooked a somewhat inedible dinner. Despite this, the atmosphere is convivial. Mae is distracted by thoughts of her budding romance with Andrew. After the meal, she lets Theo have her favorite Clue piece as they set up the board game, telling the others that “sometimes a little change is good” (182). After the board game, Mae finds herself alone with Andrew in the living room; neither of them is eager to rejoin their siblings. Andrew reminds her that they should do the dishes, teasing her about her earlier promise to commit to doing more chores for their parents. They tease one another about their poor alcohol tolerance, and Andrew nearly distracts Mae with a kiss. 

As they work, Mae thinks, “We settle into the best combination of lifelong friends and new lovers” (185). As they wash the mug that they made as teenagers, Mae confesses to writing their initials on it, and Andrew is charmed as he finds the traces of her work. Realizing that she was sincere about the extent of her lifelong interest in him, he kisses her cheek. Mae is overjoyed. Andrew follows her into the pantry and initiates a passionate embrace, and Mae is soon overcome by their chemistry.