Dominic

Four months later

Presley, Francine, and I are in the kitchen, taking turns cooking and diverting the twins away from the myriad hot and pointy objects in play, when the doorbell rings.

“Go ahead. I’ve got things under control here,” Francine says.

I glance up from tending my potful of bubbling potatoes. “You sure?”

“Of course—you’re the hosts. Now shoo, dearies.” She flicks her hand at us with a smile.

We answer the door to a young man I recognize from photos as Presley’s brother, and an affable-looking guy with brown eyes and a mop of unruly black curls.

“Thank you for coming. I’m Dominic.”

Michael shakes my hand, and when he smiles, I can see the resemblance between him and Presley right away. They share the same curious blue eyes and high cheekbones. “Thanks for the invite. This is Elijah.”

“Make yourselves at home,” I say, stepping aside to let them in.

Presley hugs Michael and pecks him on the cheek. “I’m so glad you could make it.”

“I wouldn’t miss Thanksgiving with my big sister,” he replies with a grin.

“And Elijah,” she says, smiling. “It’s so nice to meet you. I’ve heard good things.”

“Then they’re all true,” Elijah says.

Michael shoots a grin at the other boy that’s so adoring, I almost expect cartoon hearts to float up around their heads.

Ah, young love . . . wait, did I really just think that? Dammit, being a dad has made me prematurely old.

Her eyes sparkling, Presley leans toward Michael. “Are you two exclusive yet?”

“Sis . . .” Michael groans, like the teenager he so recently was.

say. Everyone smiles and the awkwardness dissolves, which is what I was hoping for. I shake Elijah’s hand too.

for having me, Mr.

Dominic. Dinner should be ready in

the kitchen.

she said. But you can have some appetizers

a noise of surprise, and I’m hoping she didn’t

them to the dining room

whole dining room in your apartment?” Michael

huge,” Presley says as she leads

merely an excited squeal because her gravy is perfect), I bring in a plate of appetizers to set on the table. Lacey and Emilia follow me, but at the sight of strangers, they hide

my daughters, Emilia and Lacey.” I point to each twin as I say

to greet the girls with

I’m Presley’s brother, Michael, and this is

Lacey says,

nods. “I sure

“Why?” Emilia asks.

chuckles. “Guess I should’ve brought my

explains. “Sometimes love just works like

for a moment,

only it were that easy

eyes with a

“Let’s go take over for Francine. She’ll insist she doesn’t need any

simmering cranberry relish, and prepping the pumpkin pie for baking. Through the doorway leading into the dining room, we can catch glimpses of my girls entertaining our guests, and

and busy, I mean. I wouldn’t want to do it every day, but it’s so .

a kiss on her forehead. “Yeah, it really

another knock on the door, I scramble to wash

well, but now that the moment is actually here,

door. “George?” I’ve never seen him in person before. I can tell

on my threshold nods. “And you must be Dominic. Very nice place you got

takes a step

you know where we were?” Presley says in the coldest tone

offers an uncertain, placating half

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