Mac really has been talking about me.
“So, how’s NASA?” Mac asks, and I kind of can’t believe I’m in a place where that’s a real question and not a sarcastic comment made by a drunk uncle.
“Well, that’s where I met this gorgeous human, so you can probably guess.” Noah gives his girlfriend a sweet kiss. She smiles at him in a way that displays her love for him, and he returns the look. Their mutual admiration for each other is sweet—and the kind of thing that would have Jade running for the hills.
“How did you get hired there again?” Mac asks.
“Har, har.” Noah makes a face.
Mac gives him a small shove.
“All right, everyone,” a booming voice calls over the noise. “Let’s eat.”
“You doing okay?” Mac leans in as people file out of the living room.
I give him a nod and a tight smile, but this time I’m being honest. Meeting some people has relaxed me a little, even if it’s just three people. Mac’s family seems kind, and they’re more welcoming than I could have hoped for.
Everyone helps bring food in from the kitchen, filling the dining room. The table is huge and decorated to the nines with beautiful china dishes and a napkin swan at every place. A deep red tablecloth and a gorgeous, seasonally appropriate centerpiece inspire ooohs and ahhhs from every guest. Roast turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, fresh bread, savory mac and cheese, and a thousand other smells compete for attention—it’s hard to decide what I’m looking forward to eating the most.
Mac leads me to a chair near his brothers and their partners, and we all sit. I’m between Mac and Charlotte, probably the person next closest to me in age, and also the only other woman here without a ring on her finger.
Food is passed and plates and wineglasses are filled and then emptied. The whole affair stretches on for hours, with rounds of food and refilled glasses. Pie is distributed and consumed, and soon everyone is leaning back in their chairs, bellies bursting. The noise levels have died down, and mostly people are just talking to one other person.
Mac taps my arm to get my attention. “Let’s go get a drink.”
I don’t really want another drink, but I wouldn’t mind a moment away from this table full of people.
Mac leads me back into the living room, now quiet and empty. I insist that I’m okay, and he pours himself a small finger of bourbon and knocks it back. While he pours himself another, I take in the living room.
I thought it might be interesting to see where Mac is from. It’s no secret he comes from generational wealth. A building on campus is named after his family, he drives a Range Rover that isn’t any older than two years, and Jade has, more than once, identified all the high-end brands he wears. I knew Mac’s home would be nice, but this is beyond what I came up with in my head. It looks like the spread of a magazine. Effortless, and yet I know someone—Anita or some paid professional—probably spent more than a few hours making this room look the way it does. And it’s been decorated for Christmas. The tree is huge and stunning, all the ornaments on theme and matching the rest of the Christmas decor. It all looks so expensive, and I can’t believe people live this way. The couch looks like it costs as much as a year of college tuition alone, but the cost of everything in this room combined is unimaginable. The TV, the random decor pieces, the rug under our feet—it’s all flashing neon dollar signs. I wonder what it would be like to not have to think about money except to say “However will I spend all it?”
I swallow the bitter taste at the back of my throat and make a conscious effort to be grateful for today. I touch my fingertips to Mac’s forearm. “Thank you. I know I said that already, and I am grateful for earlier, but I wanted to thank you for all of this. It’s the best Thanksgiving I’ve had since coming to college. I normally spend them alone, eating mediocre turkey in my dorm. And this is…the opposite of that.”
“I am really glad you’re here,” he says. He draws me into a hug, wrapping one arm around me.
I slide an arm around him and look up at him. “Me too,” I say, and I almost laugh, because two months ago I would never have believed someone if they’d said I’d be here in this exact scenario today.
“God, get a room.” Noah’s voice comes from the doorway. “And quit hogging the drinks.”
Mac releases me and finishes his drink, setting it on the cart. “Should I grab my mom? We can show you to your room.”
I nod and follow Mac where he leads.
* * *
“Oh no,”Anita says, one hand over her mouth. “Mac, I didn’t realize you’d be bringing a friend and I promised all the guest spaces to your cousins and aunts and uncles.”
“I can sleep on a couch,” I say, not fully ready to process what the alternative might be.
“Don’t be ridiculous. If anyone is sleeping on a couch, it’s me,” Mac says.
“Yo, those couches are terrible to sleep on.” Michael walks by and pats Mac on the back. “Have fun with that.”
She just gives him an apologetic look. “I wouldn’t have committed to letting everyone stay if I’d known. I’m so sorry.”
“Mom, don’t worry about it. I should have called.” He gives her a hug, and she mumbles something about linens and disappears.
“Let’s go get you settled,” Mac says with a smile on his face.
