Page 10 of Then There Was You

“Please say you’ll come, Seb,” Sophie says.

Her eyes meet mine, and I know I can’t say no. I should, if only to save myself from more heartbreak, but I’m done avoiding everyone. My family means too much to me.

“Of course I’ll come. I’ve given Ryder this weekend off work, so I’m sure he’ll be happy to cover my shift on Saturday night.”

She smiles and turns to Taylor. “You’ll come too, won’t you, Taylor?”

“I’d love to. Thanks,” Taylor says, a hint of surprise in her voice.

Before anyone can say anything else, Mom appears at the living room door.

“Dinner’s ready. Henry, can you come help me?” she asks, disappearing back into the hallway. My dad quickly follows her, and I hang back as everyone makes their way into the dining room. Wyatt waits too, placing his hand on my shoulder when we’re alone.

“How you doing?” he asks, raising his eyebrows in question.

He knows how I’ve been. He’s been calling me a few times a week. I’m sure he’s got better things to be doing than checking on me all the time.

“I’m good, Wyatt.”

“Really?”

I shrug. “I’m just getting on with things. It’s not like I have much choice.” I give him a reassuring nod and try to move the conversation on. “How’s the season going? That was a good win last game. The Cowboys definitely weren’t on form.”

He punches me not-so-gently on the shoulder. “I know you’re trying to change the subject and that’s fine, but you seem to be implying that the Cowboys should have beaten us.”

His voice is full of humor, so I know he’s joking, and I smile. “Well… on paper, theyarethe better team. I guess you just got lucky.”

“Asshole,” he mutters as he walks off, leaving me standing alone in the living room.

I chuckle and follow him into the dining room where everyone except my parents is already seated. My usual seat is next to Ashlyn and opposite Cade, but it’s a little different this year with three extra people to squeeze around the table. Taylor is in my usual seat, but there’s a spare seat next to her, so I sit down, smiling as she turns to look at me.

“Is this how you always celebrate Thanksgiving?” she asks, gesturing to the impressive spread in front of us. “It looks amazing.”

I look at the large bowl of mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, and cranberry sauce. “Yeah. Mom goes all out at Thanksgiving. You didn’t celebrate?”

“We did, but it was only ever me and my mom growing up. Our Thanksgiving was nice, but nothing like this.”

“Paisley told me of your mom’s passing, Taylor. I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Thanks, Seb.”

Our conversation is interrupted when my dad walks into the dining room carrying the largest turkey I’ve ever seen.

“Wow,” Taylor whispers, leaning in close to me. “We’re not going to eat all of that, surely?”

I laugh. “Wait and see. We can usually pack away a fair amount,” I whisper back.

Her eyes sweep over me and her cheeks flush pink before she looks away. Despite being wrapped up in my feelings for Sophie, I can appreciate how beautiful Taylor is. Although I don’t know her well, I get the feeling she has no idea just how beautiful she is.

“This looks incredible, Tessa,” Paisley says.

“It really does, Mom,” Ashlyn agrees.

She waves off their praise. “You know how I love to cook. Especially on Thanksgiving. Cade, are you going to carve?” she asks my brother.

“Sure.”

He brushes a kiss on Sophie’s cheek before standing and walking to the head of the table. Dad always used to carve the turkey on Thanksgiving, but the last few years, as the oldest sibling, Cade had taken on the role. I steal a look at Sophie, who’s watching Cade with a large smile on her face. She looks so happy. She always loved it when we all got together for a family meal, and I know how much being here with us all will mean to her. I look away before she realizes I’m staring and catch Paisley watching me. She gives me a small smile, and I smile back before lowering my eyes to the table, my fingers playing with the edge of my napkin. Despite being apprehensive about seeing Sophie and Cade together, it’s easy to see how happy they are. They belong together, even if admitting that to myself hurts my heart a little.

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