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.

dissolves, which is what I was hoping

me,

“Please, call me Dominic.

the kitchen.

said. But you can have

and I’m hoping she

show them to the dining room while

room in your apartment?” Michael

This place is huge,” Presley says as

on Francine (it was 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

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

Elijah squat down to greet the girls

says. “Nice to meet you. I’m Presley’s

a boy,” Lacey says,

nods.

“Why?” Emilia asks.

Elijah chuckles. “Guess I should’ve brought my Gender

explains. “Sometimes love just works like that. Anybody can love

that for a moment, then

it were that easy

eyes with a derisive laugh. “No

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

and I head back into the kitchen to resume mashing potatoes, simmering cranberry relish, and prepping the pumpkin pie for baking. Through the doorway leading into the dining room, we

the apartment full and busy, I mean. I wouldn’t want to do

forehead. “Yeah, it

door, I scramble to wash my

pretty confident I’ve planned this well, but now that the moment is actually here, it’s

seen him in person before. I can tell

thin, gray-haired man on my threshold nods. “And you must be Dominic. Very nice

statue. Michael takes a step back,

where we were?” Presley says

uncertain, placating half smile. “Dominic invited

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