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I relax a little and nod. “Thank you. You’re the best.”
She winks. “I know, I’m fabulous.” She gives her head a toss and laughs.
“Are you two coming? It’s freezing.” Joe sticks his head back in the car and we slide out to join him.
The short ride up to Penn’s loft feels like the longest minute of my life.
The door opens into her home and we’re greeted by Christmas music blaring, the smells of delicious food cooking, and Penn’s broad smile.
As soon as I see her, she sweeps me into a hug so warm that my nerves settle.
“I’m so happy you’re here, Beth. It’s so lovely to see you again after all this time,” she whispers and then I almost sag with relief. I want to cry, but I bite them back because I’m afraid if I start, I won’t stop. I squeeze her back and then make introductions.
“Hey guys,” Carter’s shouted greeting has us all turning around to see him jog down the stairs behind us. His grin is as wide as his whole face and he’s dressed in jeans, a white T-shirt with a turkey on it and is barefoot.
The five o’clock shadow is back and my body clenches when I remember the scrape of that scruff on my thighs. Unnerved by where my mind went, I press my palms to my flaming cheeks, and Dina nudges me, her eyes wide with “what are you doing?”
My blush deepens, but I shove my hands into my coat pockets and hope that no one notices.
“Joe! You made it,” he grins broadly as he approaches.
“Sure did. Thank you for inviting me,” Joe sticks his hand out to shake it, and Carter grasps it, but only to pull him into a hug that Joe returns immediately.
I try to regain my composure. It’s really hard.
He’s so beautiful.
Oh God.
Why do I want the only man I can’t have?
“Dina, you trouble maker, get over here,” he holds open his arms for a hug.
She grins “Nice to see you. Thanks for letting me tag along.” They share a brief, but warm hug.
Instead of moving to me, he wraps an arm around his mother and presses a kiss to her cheek. “Hey Beth, so glad you could come.” His smile is warm enough, but nothing like the ones he gave Joe and Dina.
“Hey, Happy Thanksgiving,” I return, keeping my smile in place for the sake of everyone watching us, but my emotions are in turmoil.
“I hope you’re hungry,” Penn says.
“She’s been cooking for days and talking about you nonstop. Come on in and let me get you drinks.”
He’s smiling like nothing is wrong, but I feel… rejected. I dart a glance at Penn and don’t miss the pained expression on her face before she clears it and smiles at me.
We’re saved from the awkward moment by the elevator’s ding. We all turn and as the door opens to reveal Nadia and the man she was with the night of the award ceremony.
He’s wearing a bow tie, a little less sedate than the brightly colored one he wore that night. I wonder if that’s his signature look.
His slightly square demeanor is tarnished by the hair mussed and sticking up all over his head and the hot pink smudges around his mouth that are the same color as what’s left of Nadia’s bright lipstick.
Her white blouse is untucked, her jeans partially unzipped.
Nadia, oblivious to the way they look sees me and her eyes widen with unrestrained glee.
“Oh my God. You came,” she shrieks and runs toward me.
“From the looks of it, you just did, too,” Jack’s dry drawl from behind me surprises me and I jump and turn to see him leaning at the kitchen counter, his expression as dry as his voice, his smile as shallow and fleeting as I remember from the night I met him in Winsome.
