Page 163 of Lucky Mother Pucker

Leo grabs my hand and leads me to one of the tables. “Hope you’re hungry. There’s so much food.”

I chuckle, despite wanting to pull him aside and ask him how he really feels about me. I can’t do that now. We’re about to share Thanksgiving with his relatives and family friends.

Leo holds out a chair for me, and I sit down.

I’ll do it after dinner, maybe on the drive back to Denver, I quietly tell myself before digging into the meal.

* * *

“This is the best stuffing I’ve ever tasted,” I say after taking a bite of sausage, sage, and cornbread stuffing.

Leo grins at me. He looks up at his mom, who’s sitting a few seats away, next to Leo’s aunt.

“The stuffing is a hit, Mom. Lucy says it’s the best she’s ever had.”

She beams. “That’s the most wonderful compliment, Lucy. Thank you.”

I finish the rest of the food on my plate and listen to the chatter around me. Everyone’s telling stories and laughing and joking.

This is what I always dreamed a big holiday meal would be like: surrounded by family and friends, enjoying yummy food.

Alessia, who’s sitting across from me, asks me how I like my job as an assistant for the physios at Hollis U.

“I love it. It’s so cool to be able to work for the university. And support the hockey team.”

I glance over at Leo, who’s gazing at me with a smile on his face.

“Lucy’s incredible. She does an amazing job every day she’s there,” he says.

My heart skids in my chest hearing him build me up in front of all his family and friends. When I look up, I see his mom glancing between us, a wistful smile on her face.

Once we finish dinner, the servers clear our empty plates, then serve pie for dessert. When I take a bite of the pecan pie, I moan softly.

“Good, right?” Leo’s Aunt Cheryl says.

I nod. “So, so yummy.”

She smiles proudly, then looks at Leo’s mom, Cora.

“Told you that butter in the crust is a winner, sis,” Cheryl says.

Cora rolls her eyes good-naturedly. “Fine. You win.”

The table chuckles. When we finish dessert, a few people leave to head home, but most stay, either lingering at the table with drinks or moving out to the living room.

“You wanna head out on the deck for a bit for some fresh air?” Leo asks.

I smile and nod. He stands up and pulls my chair out for me, right as his mom walks by and pats his arm.

“I’m glad all that time I put into teaching you manners paid off,” she teases.

He shakes his head, but he’s smiling.

When I stand up, I turn to her. “That was the most delicious meal I’ve ever had, Ms. Peretti.”

She blushes, smiling wide as she pulls me into a hug.

“Thank you so much for letting me come to your family’s Thanksgiving,” I say, squeezing her tight.