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.

the awkwardness dissolves, which is what I was hoping for. I shake Elijah’s

you for having me, Mr. Aspen,” he

politeness. “Please, call me Dominic. Dinner

the kitchen.

said. But you can have some

and I’m hoping she didn’t just

show them to the dining room while I go

a whole dining room

This place 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

point to each twin as I say

to greet the girls with friendly

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

Lacey says, poking her

Elijah nods. “I sure

“Why?” Emilia asks.

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

just works like that.

that for a moment, then nod, apparently

were that easy with Dad,”

eyes with a derisive laugh. “No

insist she doesn’t need any help, but she deserves

kitchen to resume mashing potatoes, 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 hear snippets of

mean. I wouldn’t want

a kiss on her forehead. “Yeah, it really feels like a

knock on the door, I scramble to

I’ve planned this well, but now that the moment is actually here, it’s nerve-racking, mostly because I have no idea if

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

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

step back, and Elijah grabs his hand. At everyone else’s reactions,

Presley says

uncertain, placating half smile.

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