I get in line behind the other two and dive in, scooping up a heaping pile of mashed potatoes and plopping it down on my plate.
“Great, there’s gonna be nothing left, guys. Charli’s eating it all,” Cade mutters, earning a middle finger from me.
“She can have mine.”
I look up and see Quinn leaning against the doorjamb, the faintest grin on his lips as he watches me pile on the food.
“Of course you’d say that,” Cade says.
“Hey, where’s Laura? I thought you invited her?” Mom asks Camden, who is standing beside his best friend.
“Oh, uhh…yeah, we sort of ended it.”
“Sort of?” I ask. “How do you sort of end a relationship?”
“Well, I told her I wasn’t interested in traveling to Chicago to meet her family,” he says a bit sheepishly.
“You already know her family,” Mom states.
“I know her family because we live in the same town, but I don’t know them too well. She was wanting me to go meet her extended family. Like her grandparents and some aunts, uncles, and cousins who live there.”
My eyes widen. “Really?” I ask, taking a middle slice of meatloaf because it’s bigger.
“Yeah, and I’m just not ready for that,” he replies with a shrug.
“You know, if you getready for that, I’ll have grandkids before I’m eighty,” Dad insists as he enters the room, walking straight over to where I’m making a plate and placing a kiss to my cheek. “Hi, baby girl.”
“Hi, Daddy.”
“If you’re wanting grandkids, old man, you’re talking to the wrong child. There are three a hell of a lot closer to making your dreams come true than me.”
My eyes instantly lift and settle on Quinn. He’s looking a little uncomfortable, his eyes cast downward, as if there’s something on the floor that’s the most interesting spot ever.
“Two!” Cade hollers, getting in line for the food behind Oaklee. “Charli’s not allowed to date until she’s fifty.”
“You’re being a touch unreasonable,” Oaklee tells her boyfriend, flashing him a wide grin.
I decide to head into the dining room instead of sharing our news, even though that might have been the perfect opening. Instead, everyone seems happier after their bellies are full, so I opt to wait to tell them about my pregnancy until closer to dessert. Mom’s sweets always lighten the mood.
Slowly, everyone starts to join me at the dining room table. I have my plate half empty by the time Quinn and Camden have a seat. “I’m gonna grab a drink. Anyone want anything?” he asks, glancing around the table and his eyes settling on me.
“Water, please,” I mutter with a mouth full of mashed potatoes.
He heads to the kitchen and returns with three bottles of water. He hands me one first before putting one at Camden’s place setting and the third in front of his. When all seats are filled, the conversation grows louder and more insistent, everyone trying to talk over someone else.
Collin’s attention seems to be on the woman beside him, who is happily chatting with Oaklee to her left. “I have an announcement,” he blurts out, grabbing everyone’s attention.
Lizzie’s eyes are wide as she stares at Collin. She seems surprised by the interruption at dinner, but not when he reaches for her hand and has her stand up. “Lizzie and I are moving in together.”
The room erupts into chaos, all excited for the oldest twin. I know it wasn’t easy for him to put his past hurt at the hands of an ex behind him, but he’s done a damn good job in the last year since he met Lizzie. I’m super happy and proud of him, and I adore her.
“You practically live together already,” Camden argues with a teasing grin.
“Yes, but now her home address will be the same as mine,” Collin says, bringing Lizzie’s hand up to his mouth and kissing her knuckles.
“Aww, I’m so happy for you,” Mom proclaims.
Before things start to settle down, Cade stands up. “Well, now I have an announcement.”
