He regarded me a moment. “Are you sleeping with her? Hoping to?”
“No.” I swiped a hand down my face. “Jesus. She’s…” How did I explain who she was without mentioning Lauren? “She planned Preston’s wedding. She’s also planned countless baby showers and engagement parties for huge celebrities. Trust me, she’s got it covered.”
He leaned in, his breath reeking of alcohol. “Don’t you dare embarrass me, Hunter. Or you will regret it.” He glanced at Kate, his intentions clear.
“I won’t,” I ground out, relieved when my mother interrupted to tell us the turkey was ready.
The rest of the afternoon passed pleasantly. There was an obligatory family picture, football, and pies. As I glanced around the table, I noted everyone was paired off. I was the odd man out.
Lily had her husband, Craig. My parents—fucked up as they were—had each other. And Xander and Kate couldn’t seem to keep their hands off each other.
Despite the fact that Xander had been Kate’s professor, my parents seemed to have finally accepted him. Or at least, they’d made a good show of it. And for that, I was grateful. Unfortunately, it had taken me threatening to go to the press with stories of an estranged relationship with their children to get them to finally talk to Kate again.
But hey, whatever.
After dinner, everyone moved to the couch to watch the football game. I glanced at my phone—still nothing from Lauren—and took another swig of my whiskey.
“Everything okay?” Kate asked, plopping down next to me.
“Yeah, of course.” I slid my phone into my pocket. “Why?”
“You just keep checking your phone, that’s all.”
“Oh. Work deal.” I shrugged.
She furrowed her brows. “On Thanksgiving?”
I lifted a shoulder, my attention focused on the TV. “No rest for the wicked.”
“You’re not wicked.” She leaned her head against my shoulder. “I thought maybe you were hoping to hear from a girl or something.” She laughed.
“Really? Why?”
She straightened, turning to face me. “I don’t know. You seem—happier lately. Something’s certainly different.”
I flashed her a brilliant smile. “Could it be the fact that I’m a responsible, home-owning adult?”
She laughed. “Maybe. I mean, why did you decide to buy a house anyway? Especially a four-bedroom house. What are you even doing with all that space? Isn’t it lonely?”
“Me? Lonely?” I scoffed.
“You’re right. Who did I think I was talking to? You probably have a new woman in your bed every night.”
In the past, she wouldn’t have been far off. But now, there was only one woman I wanted in my bed.
“You might be surprised,” I said.
She jerked her head back. “Are you…” She swallowed. “Are you dating someone?”
I laughed nervously, my cheeks burning. “I’m not sure that’s what I’d call it.”
“Right.” She deflated. “Well, just so long as you’re happy and no one gets hurt.”
“Exactly,” I said, though her comment raised a good point.
“Hunter…” Her tone was more serious. “I know Mom and Dad really did a number on us in the love department, but—” She glanced over the couch, and I followed her gaze to where Xander was standing. “I hope you find someone who makes you as happy as Xander makes me.”
Lauren’s face came to mind. It wasn’t her luscious curves or her sassy mouth that captivated me. It washer.
