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I flip him off, and Claire chooses that exact moment to come barreling back into the kitchen. “Uncle Evan, come play with me. Gram and Grandpa got us new toys!”

I laugh because, of course, they did. It’s not even Christmas, but my parents love to buy them shit, and I’m grateful for the interruption.

“These kids are so spoiled,” Dan states, echoing the thoughts right out of my head.

“Don’t you guys want pancakes before you play more?” Melissa asks.

“Yes!” they both shout.

“Take a seat, kids. Pancakes are coming right up!” Dad puts some on a plate for them as well and walks it over to Tommy and Claire, who both look eager to load their plates with syrup.

After we all finish breakfast, I spend the morning playing with them, helping my parents in the kitchen, and catching up with Dan and Melissa. By early afternoon, my mom’s sister and her husband are knocking at the door, carrying sweet potato casserole and a bottle of wine. We eat around four at the dining room table, which has been extended with the leaf to fit everyone. Dad carves the turkey while my mom and Aunt Michelle set out all the side dishes.

“So, tell us about Seattle,” my Uncle Asher requests.

“It’s good,” I say automatically. It’s hard to explain my job when my family doesn’t quite understand what I do, which is pretty common, but I always try. “I just wrapped up a project I’ve been working on for a new product. It passed the virtual reality testing, so now it needs to be tested in the field for usability next. I really love Seattle too, and I’m happy my job brought me out there, even though I miss you all when I’m gone.”

“I always knew you were going to do great things.” Aunt Michelle nods, smiling at me. She’s always been a big part of my life, just like I hope to be a big part of Claire and Tommy’s life.

“Hey, what about me? Am I not doing great things?” Dan pipes up from across the table, and I can’t help but laugh.

“Are you kidding? You gave me the cutest little grandbabies on earth,” Mom says before anyone else can speak.

“That’s me!” Claire shouts with a smile as Tommy shovels mashed potatoes into his mouth, and Melissa tells him to slow down.

Fuck, I love these people. I’m so happy to have this time with them every holiday. I wonder if Marcus has the same feeling.

After dinner, we clear the table and move to the living room. Mom brings out the pie, and we eat it while watching football. Tommy falls asleep on the couch between Dan and me, with Claire curled up on my other side while Melissa reads. My aunt and uncle are settled into the armchairs, with their coffee and empty pie plates beside them on the end tables.

I’m sitting there, half-watching the game, half-listening to my dad and uncle arguing about a call, and my mind wanders to Marcus again. How he pressed me against the cold brick wall, how he tilted my chin up with his hand, so possessive and sure. How confidently he took the lead, right up until I couldn’t help myself and kissed him first, tasting myself on his tongue. I don’t know what came over me at that moment. I just needed my mouth on his.

And after, when we were both spent and it was over, I kissed him again before either of us could say a word, as if some part of me wasn’t ready to let the moment end, even though I knew it had to.

He feels like something unfinished, which is an insane thought considering I’m sure I’ll go back to Seattle and he’ll fade fast, the way most hookups do.

I shake the thought loose again, reaching to ruffle Tommy’s hair. He doesn’t stir, but Mom catches my eye across the room and smiles, and I smile back.

Another great Thanksgiving with my family. The game is on, the house is warm, and everyone I love is under one roof. And somewhere in Bloomington is a guy my mind can’t stop circling back to.

But it’s fine. I’ll be back in Seattle in a few days, and I’ll forget all about him.

CHAPTER 5

Marcus

Thanksgiving dinner with my family is a special kind of torture.

Mom has really outdone herself in trying to make the dining room table look like it came straight out of a magazine. And it looks great, truly. All very picture-perfect like we’re a family who actually enjoys each other’s company, rather than people who tolerate each other out of obligation.

Except for Mom and Lily, of course.

“Marcus, will you pass the potatoes?” Dad requests without so much as a please, eyes flicking down to his phone in his lap. He’s been like this all day—presently here, but absent in every way that matters. If Mom notices, she doesn’t let it show, too busy making sure everything’s flawless to worry about whether her husband’s even engaged. I don’t really care, so I pass the potatoes.

Thankfully, the conversation has mostly been between Lily and Mom, like usual. Mom is in heaven as they talk more and more about the wedding, while Sean sits beside Lily, chomping away. This is what Mom has always wanted, even if her only daughter is planning to marry a guy who drinks far too much and has a temper to match.

Lily has shown up at Mom’s door crying more than once over some blowout fight with Sean, and every single time, Mom smooths it over and makes excuses on Sean’s behalf. She tells Lily that marriage takes work and that Sean’s a good man who just needs patience—the same grace she has never once extended to me. Sean gets to be flawed and forgiven. I just get to be a disappointment.

Eventually, the conversation circles back to me. “What about you, Marcus? Any nice girls catching your attention?” Mom asks.