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.

is what

having me,

call me Dominic. Dinner should be

Francine yells from the kitchen.

you can have

surprise, and I’m hoping she

the dining room while I go

whole dining room in your

huge,” Presley says

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

and Lacey.” I point to each twin

down to greet

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

says,

Elijah nods. “I sure

“Why?” Emilia asks.

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

“Sometimes love just works like that. Anybody

that for

that easy with

his eyes with a

insist she doesn’t need

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

“Having the apartment full and busy, I mean. I wouldn’t want to do it every day, but it’s so . . .

her forehead. “Yeah,

knock on the door, I scramble

I 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 idea if I’m doing the

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

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

you know where we were?” Presley says in

offers an uncertain, placating half smile. “Dominic

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