I incline my head, keeping my eyes on Caleb. “You think?”
“Oh, yeah. He’s adorable with kids. Did you see him holding Bailey and cooing at her? I’ve never seen her smile that big.”
“He definitely has a way with people.” But that’s where my assessment stops. He’s not Justin, so it wouldn’t be fair to comment on whether or not he’s cute.
“Whoa, Miles. You’re really going to town with the pepper. Marty, don’t you think that’s enough pepper?” Caleb asks my dad, who’s overseeing the entire project.
“You can never have too much pepper.”
“Really?” Caleb watches as Miles shakes the dispenser even harder. Pepper dust flies everywhere, and like a domino effect, each kid surrounding Caleb starts sneezing directly into the stuffing.
“Mmmm.” Caleb shoots me a wide-eyed glance. “That’s going to be delicious.”
“Don’t worry.” My dad is completely unfazed. “It will all cook out in the oven.”
Caleb grimaces at me like he’s unsure how factually true that is.
“Aww, you guys are cute together.” Juliet bumps her hip into mine. “I can see why you’ve been defending him all these months. Justin’s a keeper. You were right. We just needed the chance to get to know him better.”
“Yeah, that’s what I’ve been saying.” I force a smile, but deep down, I wonder if she’d feel the same way about the real Justin.
“Okay.” My dad grabs the pepper shaker from Miles. “It’s time to put the stuffing inside the turkey. Everyone take a big handful and just shove it in.” He twists the poultry, holding open the spot where the bird’s neck once was. It’s kind of gross to think about, so you just don’t think about it.
Caleb takes the first handful and shoves it inside. He jerks his arm, acting like it’s stuck. “Oh, no! I can’t get it out!” He turns to the boys. “Help me!”
My nephews giggle as they pull on his arm, but it won’t budge.
“Summer, we need your help,” Jack calls me over. “We can’t get Justin’s arm out of the turkey.”
“I wouldn’t trust a man who sticks his arm up a turkey.” Aunt Carma gives me a look like I should be scared. “That’s why I never dated a gynecologist.”
Caleb spits out a laugh just as my mom rushes to my aunt’s side. “Carma, I think it’s time for you to go to bed.”
“Summer?” Jack says again. “We need your help.”
“We’re going to cook him in the oven if we can’t get him out,” Peter exclaims. “You need to come.”
“Alright.” I push my sleeves back as I walk over to the other side of the island. “Okay, make some room.” I grab Caleb by the shoulders. It seemed innocent enough at first, but as my fingers close around the broad beasts, my stomach sparks with itty-bitty butterflies. That’s when I decide touching him this way is more intimate than I originally thought. I pull harder than necessary—considering he’s not reallystuck—but I need my hands off his shoulders as soon as possible. We both fly back, sending a few pieces of wet stuffing flinging through the air. One lands on my shirt while another lands on my cheek above my lips.
Caleb straightens, laughing at me. “There’s something on your face.” His goopy, stuffing-drenched index finger swipes across my cheek, and my entire body floods with heat. Theoretically, nothing about this situation should cause that reaction. I can’t explain it, but it’s as real to me as Christmas and Santa Claus.
I wipe my cheek where the feel of his touch still lingers. “I got it.”
His blue eyes search mine. What the heck are they looking for? I don’t know, but I’m afraid of what they’ll find if they keep searching, so I glance down. “I’m going to go wash my shirt.”
I look back before exiting the kitchen. My dad is in Caleb’s ear, explaining how they’re going to cook the turkey tomorrow.
It’s everything I wanted.
It’s just with the wrong brother.
eleven
CALEB
Summer followsmy car to Justin’s house after the turkey party is over. We walk the length of his driveway together, and it’s the most awkward doorstep scene I’ve ever been a part of.
“Thanks for coming tonight.” She takes the first step.
