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While the news seemed innocuous on the surface, Amber had been in love with my brother since middle school. Pretty much everyone had known that fact, except for Zach. And even then, I wondered if he’d known and pretended not to, even if it was a dickish thing to do.
Katie whispered back, “Yes. Things got strained between Zach and Amber earlier this year. Whatever happened gave her the kick she needed to look elsewhere. Because if Zach can’t see how amazing Amber is, then he doesn’t deserve her.”
I nodded. Amber was the quietest of the BFF Circle, and the one I knew the least. However, as kids, Amber and Zach had been thick as thieves.
The entire situation only reinforced how little I knew about my siblings these days. “I think I’ll try to go to the bar with my brothers and Abby tomorrow. I don’t have to go back to L.A. until the day after.”
Katie squeezed my hand. “I think you’ll have a blast. And I promise, the BFF Circle won’t make an appearance. Although last time we went at the same time as the Wolfe siblings, it pretty much set things in motion for Emmy and West. Who knows what would happen next time?”
What indeed.
But then we entered the hallway and were in the dining room before either Katie or I could say anything else.
And both of us stopped in our tracks as we noticed the new addition to the group gathered around the table—Rafael “Rafe” Mendoza. He was Emmy’s older brother, a world-famous soccer player, and had once upon a time been best friends with West.
And now that West was dating Rafe’s sister, Rafe wasn’t happy about it. Or so West had told me.
Katie whispered, “I thought he couldn’t make it?”
“Well, he must’ve found a way.”
Aunt Lori spoke up. “Yes, yes, Rafe’s here, too. The more the merrier, I always say. It just gives me more people to tease with embarrassing childhood stories. Who remembers the time Rafe and West thought it’d be fun to toss cow pies at each other? And then they had to hose down naked outside because neither of their moms would let them in otherwise because of the smell?”
West grunted. “You were only visiting then, and you still remember that?”
Aunt Lori nodded. “Of course. You were about seven or eight? And Beck then kept chanting, ‘Cow pies, cow pies, cow pies’ over and over again. Eve then made cow pie cookies, and neither of you would touch them.” She smiled. “It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly thirty years since then.”
Eve was my mom, and a memory rushed back to me. “Didn’t she make those every year for a while, until she realized none of us would eat them?”
Aunt Lori replied, “Yes.” She glanced at West and then at Rafe. “And now look at the pair of you—great strapping men who scowl too much.”
Both Rafe and West’s brows furrowed at the same time, and everyone laughed, breaking the tension.
With a hesitant smile, Rafe sat down next to his sister. I then helped Katie into her chair and took my place beside her.
Once everyone was sitting—Katie was to my right and my niece Avery to my left—Aunt Lori lifted her wine glass. The adults did the same, and the kids raised their sparkling cider.
Aunt Lori said, “It’s been quite eventful since the last Thanksgiving, but mostly in a good way.” She nodded at Sabrina and Beck, then West and Emmy, next at Avery and Wyatt, and finally at Rafe. “While our family isn’t quite complete, I know Zane will be here in spirit. To another great year and wishes for it to be even better!”
We all cheered and sipped our glasses. It hadn’t escaped my notice that Aunt Lori had left me and Katie out of her “big changes” observation.
Which meant she didn’t quite believe us.
We’d just have to work on it.
But as we dished out dinner—the game my family often played with getting the best cuts of meat was forbidden for holidays—and went around to say what we were grateful for, the outside world and my ex and the pressures of the press all faded away. With the exception of Jenn, Tina, and Zane, everyone I cared about was in this room.
And later, as I caught Katie’s eye and we smiled at each other, I thought maybe this year was a little better for reasons I was afraid to admit.
Chapter Nine
Katie
Me: So we’re still on for the Christmas Market tomorrow?
Nolan: Yes, barring last-minute emergencies. I’ll fly in tomorrow morning and, fingers crossed, be there on time. I might be a few minutes late.
Me: Are you sure you want to come? I know you’ve been rehearsing for the last week or so for your project in the new year.
