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21
LAYLA
“Layla, will you put the green bean casserole in the oven while I finish up these potatoes?” Mom asked, jerking her chin toward the white dish full of mushroomy goodness.
“Yes, ma’am,” I replied.
While I did that, Lyndi put the finishing touches on a tray of pimento cheese dip and crackers and then centered it on the island. Our guests would start arriving any minute, so it was the final countdown.
My heart picked up speed like it always did when I was gearing up to see Zac. These last few months with him had been even better than the first time around, and it was largely because of Grayson.
I didn’t know if it was the way Zac had changed since becoming a parent or the simple fact that his little mini-me had stolen my heart, but either way, my heart was wholly and truly theirs.
The doorbell rang and I jumped, causing my mom to let out a low, knowing laugh. “You know we’re expecting around thirty people for dinner, right? Are you going to get excited like that every time the doorbell rings?”
“Only until Zac and Gray show up.” I flipped my hair and gave her a cheesy grin before heading to the door. Whipping it open, I let my smile fall at my boots. “Oh hey, Aunt Rose.”
“Happy Thanksgiving to you, too.” My mom’s sister stepped in, kissing my cheek. “I assume the man of the hour isn’t here yet?”
Aunt Rose knew all about my reunion with Zac thanks to my mom, and my entire extended family had spent plenty of time gossiping about his reappearance in my life.
Most of them were like my parents, sister, and friends, happy for me and willing to forget the past. The rest? Not so much. All I could do was hope they’d behave themselves tonight. Especially since Zac was bringing his own family to join us, and I didn’t want any drama.
“Not yet,” I said, ushering her, my uncle, and two of my cousins in through the door. I recovered enough from my initial disappointment to greet the rest of them much more politely. “There are apps on the kitchen island.”
“Thank you, sweetie,” Aunt Rose said.
They made their way into the kitchen, and I was about to close the door when movement caught my eye. Hoping it was Zac, my pulse jumped. But then I frowned when I realized it was only another one of my mom’s five sisters and her family. I wished them all a happy Thanksgiving—again, politely—and did the same for the next two sets of relatives.
“I’ll get it,” Lyndi said when the doorbell rang again. “Layla needs a break from all the disappointment.”
I stuck my tongue out at her as a few chuckles went through the kitchen. The men in my family were all in the living room watching football, and the women were eating appetizers and chatting around the island. It was very cliche, but also very us.
“It’s okay, Lay. You’re allowed to be excited to see your man,” my cousin Emily said, winking at me. “I’m jelly. Between you and Clara, I’m sitting over here wondering when it’ll be my turn to meet Mr. Right.”
Emily’s sister, Clara, snorted. “You’d have to have a day off once in a while to meet anyone outside your office.”
“She’s just driven,” I defended Em. “Besides, I know exactly how she feels. My two best friends both just got married, and they were the sixth and seventh brides to ask me to be in their wedding. I was starting to think I’d never get my own groom until Zac came along.”
“Are you two engaged?” Aunt Bee asked, eyes wide with excitement. Clara was her older daughter and had recently gotten engaged, and she was over the moon at the prospects of grandchildren on the horizon.
I blushed, popping an olive in my mouth. “No. But I wouldn’t say no if he asked me.”
Three pairs of eyes widened as my mom, aunt, and Emily stared at the space behind me. Wrinkling my nose, I mouthed, “He’s right behind me, isn’t he?”
They all nodded, and I closed my eyes, preparing to face Zac and his family. I turned, relief swelling in my chest as I realized he was standing alone. His family must have gone into the living room with Lyndi for introductions while he’d ventured this way.
“Well, that’s good to know,” he said with a shaky laugh.
Again, more chuckles from my relatives. So glad they find my embarrassment amusing.
“Hi,” I said, my mouth suddenly very dry. I stood by what I’d said, but I hadn’t meant for him to hear it. Not likethat, anyway.
“Hi.” The corner of his mouth twitched as his eyes bored into mine. “Happy Thanksgiving.”
Deciding to give him a proper greeting instead of just standing there, I stepped forward and hugged him briefly before cozying up to his side and turning toward my family again. “You all remember Zac from Thanksgiving a few years ago, right?”
“Yes,” Aunt Rose said, smiling at him. “It’s good to see you again. Happy Thanksgiving.”
