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Aithan folded his cloth napkin and laid it on the table. “I’m grateful for this family, too. You got me through a painful time.” He kissed my cheek again, then reached over to squeeze Drew’s shoulder and added, “And you keep me on the right path.”
I didn’t know what that meant, but obviously they’d had a heavy talk.
Mom nodded. “I’m thankful Zel has both of you. It’s been a short time, but you’ve obviously helped her overcome a lot.”
“Absolutely.” Dad raised his glass, a clear signal, and we all mirrored him. This was our family tradition. We ended Thanksgiving with this toast every year. “I’m thankful for love, health, and happiness,” Dad said. “May we say the same a year from today.” We clinked glasses and drank.
Aithan, Dad, and Drew stood and gathered the dishes. Mom looked across the table and beamed at me. I was happy to see her smile, but knew worry lurked behind it.
“Mom, did Greer give any explanation?”
Dad’s hand landed on my shoulder. “Leave it for now, Zelda.”
I sucked a breath and nodded. Hoo-boy, that quiet tone of his still scared me. Obviously, a lot more was said while I lost my shit in the guesthouse.Fuck, fuck, fuck.What else had Greer done?
I gathered glasses. Mom got the silverware. We joined the men in the kitchen.
Aithan’s phone buzzed. He pulled it from his pocket and scanned a message.
“From your family?” I asked and started carving the remaining turkey from the bones. Mom and I would divvy it up, along with the rest of the leftovers.
“No, Juan. Had to let him know I fired Tristan, so he could rework tomorrow’s schedule and get the paperwork going.”
“Douche Canoe put himself between Scylla and Charybdis,” Drew remarked over the water running into the sink.
Aithan and my dad snickered.
I turned, pinning Drew with a stare. “Which monster am I?”
He smiled, charming as always. “Charybdis, obviously. You drag poor, innocent men to their doom. Your sister’s a six-headed snake.”
Dad guffawed. Mom shot him an arched look. “What?” he asked. “That was funnyandsmart.”
She pulled foil and freezer containers from a cupboard in the kitchen island. “We should’ve told you about the divorce, Zelda. Or pushed Greer to speak with you sooner.”
I shrugged. “Maybe? I mean, I don’t see how knowing would’ve made any difference. She had a bigger fucking secret to keep from me. Knowing about the divorce might’ve revealed the affair sooner, but it wouldn’t have changed anything.” I snorted. “You almost have to admire them. They kept me in the dark for three-quarters of my relationship with Tristan.” I shook my head. “Wow. There’s a lesson in there for me. I just haven’t figured out what it is yet.”
“Beware of Scylla,” Drew said.
I laughed. “No shit, Sherlock.”
“I’d say don’t be so trusting, but that’s a terrible lesson.” Mom put two containers beside me, then wrapped her arm around my waist. “I wouldn’t want you to become cynical.”
“Me neither,” I said. “That’s why I’m gonna keep collecting good men.”
“More?” Dad looked from me to Aithan and Drew, who started laughing as they filled the dishwasher.
I grinned over my shoulder at him, teasing. “Read the books, Dad.”
He raised his hands as if to ward off an attack. “No. No. No. I do not want to know about these things!”
I turned back to the turkey, laughing.
“Well, thereisTobias,” Drew remarked.
Mom eyed me, a mixture of concern and surprise on her face. “I thought you said he’s just a friend.”
I shot Drew a look that warned pain if he didn’t shut up. This wasn’t something I wanted to discuss in front of my folks.
