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 for. I shake Elijah’s hand too.

me,

me Dominic. Dinner should be

an hour,” Francine yells from the kitchen. “It’s a big old

said. But you can have some appetizers

of surprise, and I’m hoping she didn’t just

the dining room

have a whole dining room in your apartment?” Michael asks,

right? This place is huge,” Presley says as she

(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 strangers, they hide behind my legs, too shy to

Lacey.” I point to each twin

Elijah squat down to greet the girls with

Michael says. “Nice to meet you. I’m Presley’s brother, Michael, and this is

boy,” Lacey says, poking her

Elijah nods. “I sure

“Why?” Emilia asks.

Elijah chuckles. “Guess

love just works

about that for

it were that easy with Dad,”

eyes with a derisive laugh.

insist she doesn’t need any help,

prepping the pumpkin pie for baking. Through the doorway leading

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

kiss on her forehead. “Yeah, it really feels

another knock on the door, I scramble to

a little faster. I’m pretty confident I’ve planned this well, but now that the moment is actually

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

“And you must be Dominic. Very nice place you

into the dining room, Presley stops in midsentence and goes as rigid as a statue. Michael takes a step back, and Elijah

says in

offers an uncertain, placating half

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

Comments ()

0/255