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.

you’re here,” I say. Everyone smiles and the awkwardness dissolves, which is what I was hoping for. I shake Elijah’s

you for having me, Mr. Aspen,” he

“Please, call me Dominic. Dinner should

from the kitchen.

she said. But you can

hoping she didn’t just chop off

show them to the dining

room in

is huge,” Presley

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 behind my legs, too shy to come forward, yet too curious to scurry back to

Emilia and Lacey.” I point to each twin as I say her

squat down to greet the girls with friendly

Michael says. “Nice to meet you. I’m

a boy,” Lacey says, poking her

nods.

“Why?” Emilia asks.

chuckles. “Guess I should’ve brought my Gender

“Sometimes love just works like that. Anybody can love

that for a moment, then nod,

that

rolls his eyes with a derisive

take over for Francine. She’ll insist

pumpkin pie for baking. Through the doorway leading into the dining room,

I mean. I wouldn’t want to do it

her forehead.

another knock on the door, I scramble to wash

say, my heart beating a little faster. I’m pretty confident I’ve planned this well, but now that the moment is actually here, it’s nerve-racking, mostly because I have no

seen him in person before. I can tell where Presley gets

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

him into the dining room, Presley stops in midsentence and goes as rigid as a statue. Michael takes a step back, and Elijah grabs his hand. At everyone else’s reactions, Francine stands up

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

offers an uncertain, placating

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255