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“I can’t believe you drove almost four hours on a whim just to see me.”
“I hated that you were upset and had such a bad day and I wasn’t here. I had the time away from work scheduled, and I can’t think of a better way to utilize that time.”
“So you’re staying?”
“Is that okay? I can get a room,” I offer.
“No. Please, no. I want you to stay.” She leans in and I close the distance, kissing her softly.
“Have you had dinner?” she asks.
“Do snacks from the gas station count? Speaking of?” I glance over and see the bag sitting on the chair. “I brought you and Monroe some of your favorites.”
“You know my best friend’s favorite snacks?”
“Baby girl, we’ve known each other for years. I pay attention, and Monroe is always with you.” I shrug.
“We just had dinner. I can warm you up some leftovers. Cheesy chicken and rice.”
“I’m good for now.”
“You promised me a movie.”
“I did.”
“Come on.” She starts to climb off my lap, but I hold on to her. “Tell me where we’re going, beautiful. I’m not ready to let you go just yet. In fact, be prepared for me to be glued to your side until I leave tomorrow.”
“I like the sound of that.” She kisses me again, before pulling back and telling me which room is hers.
We strip down, her in her panties and my T-shirt, and me in my boxer briefs, and climb under the covers. I pull her into my arms as we lie on our side and stare at her laptop screen. The movie is on maybe five minutes before she’s sound asleep. Reaching over, I close her laptop and place it on the nightstand. Pulling her close, I snuggle into her, and close my eyes.
It’s the best night's sleep I’ve had since she left.
ChapterEighteen
Emerson
“Lachlan, you outdid yourself with the turkey this year,” I tell him. “Who knew a deep-fried bird would be so good?”
“I did, obviously,” Lachlan replies with a wink.
“Obviously,” I parrot back to him.
“I’m stuffed,” Monroe says, shoving her plate away from her.
“We still have pie. Lots and lots of pie,” I remind my best friend.
“I know. I helped make them, but I can’t do it. Not right now, at least.” She rubs her hands over her flat belly as if she can feel the difference after all the food we just consumed.
“Well, boys and girls, it’s time for some football.” Maddox pushes back from the table and heads toward the living room.
I smile as everyone files in after him.
Every year, as long as I can remember, we’ve been having our own Everlasting Ink family Thanksgiving on the Friday after the actual holiday. Forrest records the games from Thanksgiving Day, and we all pretend like this is the actual day. I once referred to it as Friendsgiving and my brother about had a heart attack. He made it very clear that everyone around the table that day, which included the two of us, Monroe, and the other guys from Everlasting Ink, were family.
He’s right. Everyone here today is family we chose, and I think we did a damn fine job. We invited Drake, Lisa, and Lyra, but they already had other plans. I made sure to tell them that if they could make it next year, to plan to be here. I also told them that if they hadn’t made plans yet, to save Christmas evening for us as well.
On Thanksgiving Day, Forrest and I spend the day watching movies and catching up. We prep for the big meal the next day. Some years, we’ve gone to the guys' houses and have dinner with their families. They invite us every single year, and we used to go. However, when I turned eighteen and moved in with Forrest, I asked him if we could start our own tradition, and that’s when our movie and prep day started. This was our third year in a row, and I love every second of it.
