Page 148 of The Christmas Trap

Brody scoffs, “I was being sarcastic.”

“I wasn’t. Doctors are trained to save a life, but we teach you to indulge it." His phone buzzes, but he ignores it. "It falls to us to stir up emotions, awaken pleasure, and create moments worth living for. And all through the power of food.”

He has a point.

"I’ve never heard you speak this eloquently." Nathan joins us. "Not even when we served together, and we’ve been on some tough missions."

That’s right, Brody mentioned how he met James through his brother.

"Taking lives to protect your country and your fellow citizens, can have the effect of dampening your enthusiasm for a lot of things in life." James and Nathan exchange a look.

Then Nathan slaps him on the back. "But you found food.”

"Now, all he needs is a woman to save his soul." Quentin ambles over, with Vivian in tow.

“Or to crack his façade?” Knox, too, joins the crowd.

James takes in the faces of his friends and holds up his hands. “Why do I sense an intervention?”

"Probably, because it is?" Brody snorts.

"Because we’re all married, settled down, and having babies, and now, it’s your turn?" Nathan chuckles.

“I can do without you lot butting into my life.” James scoffs.

“I don’t think it’s us you need to worry about.” Knox nods over his shoulder.

We follow his gaze to where an older woman, with a sleek bob of hair, dressed in a Chanel suit, is seated next to Arthur and Imelda. The three of them have their heads bent close.

“What’s Margot doing here?” James does a double take.

“Who’s Margot?” I take in the wary look in James’ eyes.

“His grandmother.” Brody watches James as if to monitor his reaction. “Thought you didn’t get along with her?”

“She’s a shark, is what she is.” James frowns.

A ripple of surprise runs through the assembled crowd.

“Nothing very grandmotherly about her then?” Nathan lowers his chin.

“If you thought Arthur was manipulative, you haven’t met my grandmother.”

“Ooh, that sounds not very pleasant,” I offer.

“If it’s any consolation, Arthur apologized to me.” Brody draws me closer to his chest.

Nathan does a double take. “The old coot apologized?”

“He said he had our best interests at heart. And that he realized that he might have been a little overzealous with his meddling and trying to get us married.” Brody raises a shoulder.

“And you believe him?” Knox strokes his chin.

“No reason not to.”

“He hasn’t apologized to the rest of us,” Nathan points out.

“Not yet,” Brody agrees. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he's waiting for the right opportunity to apologize to each of you separately.