AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ryan shifted in his chair. “That’s easy. Corey coming to live with us.”
A tingle went through me when he said “us.”
“Opening the garage with my best friend, and”—Ryan reached over to lace his fingers with mine—“finding the love of my life.”
I smiled, forgetting that my brother was watching. “I love you.”
Ryan leaned over to whisper against my lips, “I love you too,” before he kissed me.
I heard a groan from Corey and a clearing of a throat from Jake.
“I’m not ready for this.” Jake gestured at us when Ryan pulled back.
“Get used to it because I’m not hiding it anymore,” Ryan said to Jake.
I loved that Ryan felt free to express his feelings for me in front of my family. He was respectful of Jake’s feelings but knew his opinion didn’t matter.
Nana smiled. “Young love is lovely.”
Jake scoffed. “I hardly think it’s young love. Ryan is thirty.”
“Thirty is a baby when you get to be my age,” Nana said as we all laughed.
Nana unfolded the cloth napkin and laid it on her lap. “Now, where were we? Ah, yes, we were saying what we’re grateful for. I’m grateful that my family is all together at Thanksgiving, and that Hailey is pursuing her dreams of writing, and Jake is pursuing his dreams of owning a garage. That everyone I love is happy and at this table.”
“Amen,” Jake said. “I, for one, am grateful that Corey came to live near his favorite uncle.”
Ryan groaned.
“You’re my only uncle, and technically, you’re not my uncle,” Corey said.
“Maybe future uncle,” Ryan said quietly.
My heart skipped a beat. We hadn’t discussed the future beyond being together, so the fact that he’d openly mentioned the possibility of marriage sent a pang to my heart.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Jake said, but his tone was light.
I already considered us a family, but the thought of us being married, living together, and maybe having more children, sent my heart racing.
“Why don’t you go next, Corey?” Nana asked.
Corey ran a hand through his short hair. “I’m grateful for football, my teammates and friends, and that I get to see both Dad and Mom this weekend.”
“I’m thankful for that too, buddy,” Ryan said.
Ryan didn’t want to take Corey from his mother; he wanted the best of both worlds, which was Tiffany visiting, or ideally, moving here so Corey could have both parents in his life.
“What about you, Hailey?”
“Gosh. Where do I start?” My heart was so full.
Ryan squeezed my hand in silent support.
“I’m grateful for each and every one of you. You’re my family, and I love you with all my heart. I’m grateful we could all be together in this beautiful house and that we have a wonderful future ahead of us.” By the time I was done, tears sparkled in my eyes.
Ryan leaned over to rest his forehead on mine. “That was beautiful.”
When we pulled away, and everyone lifted their forks, I noticed that Jake seemed unhappy. He wasn’t dating anyone, but he’d never expressed interest in anyone seriously. He seemed content to be a single guy and focus all his time and attention on his work. Did he want what I had?
