Wait. I’m an idiot. There won’t be a next time.
“Uh-hmm.” Justin doesn’t even look at the pictures on her phone. Instead, he nuzzles into her side, kissing her neck and ear.
“Hey, you need to know all of this for tomorrow.” She laughs as she nudges him.
He pulls back, winning her over with his smile. What can I say? He’s got a great smile. It looks like mine.
“I’m listening,” Justin murmurs before diving back in to kiss her cheek and neck. For someone who’s unsure how he feels about her, he’s pretty sure he likes touching her.
I put the carton of ice cream back in the freezer and grab my bowl and spoon, walking past them on the couch. “I’m going to call it a night.”
They stop their couple cuteness and glance up at me.
“Thanks for going with Sum Sum,” Justin says.
My eyes dart to hers, hoping to find a shared hatred for the awful nickname Justin has given her, but her expression is unreadable, or maybe I just don’t know her well enough to read it.
“Yeah, no problem.” I walk down the hall, calling over my shoulder, “Be sure to try the stuffing tomorrow. You’re going to love it.”
I smile to myself as I remember how many kids sneezed in that thing.
twelve
SUMMER
“So Milesand Max are the twins, and Hailey and Brian are their parents,” I say as we walk up the front steps of my parents’ house.
Justin squeezes my hand. “Summer, you’ve been drilling me about your family for the last half hour. Don’t you think that’s a little excessive?”
“You’re right. Sorry. I just don’t want you to forget anybody’s name.”
“It’s fine if I do.”
My lips stick out in a frown. “Not really. In their minds, you were with them last night, laughing and having a good time. There’s no reason why you’d forget their names the next day.”
He pushes the strap of his leather computer satchel farther up on his shoulder. I’m already low-key stressed about what my mom’s going to think when he shows up ready to work on Thanksgiving.
“Don’t worry. I won’t use anyone’s name unless I’m positive I have it memorized.”
We stop at the front door. “And all my nephews love you. Well, they love Caleb. So you’ll have to—”
“Relax.” He caresses my cheek. “I’ve got this.”
“Okay, you’re right. They’re going to love you as much as I do.” I suck in a deep breath and push open the door.
I’m more nervous for Justin to meet my family than I was for Fake Justin, but it will be fine. We got all the awkwardness out of the way last night. Today is about enjoying the holiday with good ol’ fashioned family time.
“We’re here!” I call.
“In the kitchen!” my dad says over the banging pans.
The house smells perfect, like all the best food and holiday smells combined to make my happiest dreams come true. If I could bottle up this smell and save it all year long to pull out whenever I’m sad, I’d do it.
I grab Justin’s hand and lead him back to where my parents are. It’s nice to be able to touch without feeling bad about it. I’m a really affectionate person. The hugging, holding, and touching are important to me, but last night, I had to think twice every single time I touched Caleb. It’s not like Iwantto touch my boyfriend’s twin brother. So I’m glad today there aren’t any constraints.
“Hey!” I say as we round the corner. “How’s dinner prep?”
My dad is in front of a messy counter, peeling a stack of potatoes. “We are T minus two hours until the big meal, and things are going great.”
