I find myself chatting with her younger cousin, Leo, who’s drilling me with every football question he can think of. It’s strangely easy to slip into their routine, joining the teasing, the shared jokes, and feeling surprisingly at home.
Leo grins, his eyes lighting up with curiosity. “So, you’re a wide receiver? Does that mean you’re, like, super fast?”
“Fast enough to catch the ball when someone chucks it fifty yards,” I say with a shrug, throwing a quick glance at Alli, who’s rolling her eyes.
“Don’t let him fool you. Jared likes to act cool, but he’s one of the biggest nerds on the team.”
“Hey, no need to call me out like that,” I say, grinning at her. “I’ve got a reputation to uphold here, you know.”
She snorts. “Too late. Now you’re officially part of the family. Secrets and all.”
After a lunch feast full of turkey, mashed potatoes,tamales, andpozole, I follow Alli out to the back porch. The cool evening air brushes against my skin. She leans on the railing, her gaze fixed on the neighborhood where porch lights flicker on like stars. Crickets sound faintly in the background. I step closer, the silence between us wrapping around us like a blanket of calm.
“Hey, how are you?” she asks, tipping her head to look up at me, her eyes twinkling in the dim light. “I hope they’re not making you feel uncomfortable.”
I shrug, letting my gaze drift to the darkening horizon. “Actually… it’s nice. I don’t get this kind of thing often.” My gaze slides back to her, and I catch how the soft light hits her face, making her look even more stunning than usual, like she doesn’t need to try at all. It’s the kind of beauty that makes you stop and admire. “Your family is incredible. I’m jealous.”
Her hand drifts toward mine, fingers brushing my skin, tentative at first, like she’s testing if it’s okay. “They like you. A lot. My mom practically called dibs on you for all future holidays.”
I laugh, but there’s a small tug in my chest, something bittersweet.
She inches closer, slipping her arms around my waist. Her breath comes out as a puff in the cold air as she gazes up at me, that spark in her eyes. I slide my hands to her waist, pulling her into me, and for a mere instant, all the noise, all the confusion in my head goes radio silent. Just the two of us outside, the distant sound of laughter from her family inside.
“Alli…” My voice is rough, a little quieter than I expected. I clear my throat, searching for the right words. “Thanks for having me here.”
She bites her lip, the hint of a smile breaking through. “Don’t thank me yet. My family can be a lot.”
My lips twitch up. “Good thing I like a challenge.” My fingers trace the curve of her waist, and I dip my head, pressing my lips to hers. It’s gentle at first, just a light touch, but when she sighsand pulls me closer, I deepen the kiss, feeling the apprehension from the evening melt away.
She pulls back, smiling, fingers still entwined in my shirt. “You want to head back in?”
I glance back at the house, my hand resting on hers. “I’m actually tired.”
Alli’s lips curve, her eyes full of bad ideas when she catches the hint in my words. “Tired, huh?”
Nodding, I drive her closer. “Yeah. Think I need a little peace and quiet.”
She turns to me, her smile softer, more vulnerable. “I know the perfect escape.”
Chapter 34
Alli
Jared and I slip back inside through the side door and sneak into the laundry room, still catching signs of the commotion: my cousins arguing over who gets the last slice of pumpkin pie, but I don’t care.
Actually, scratch that. Idolove pie, but it can wait.
A clenching sensation builds inside me—the kind that only he seems to bring out in me. His hand brushes mine as we step further inside, and even that shy touch sends my pulse racing. Unable to resist, I yank on Jared’s shirt, pulling him closer before pressing my lips to his.
“Think they’ll notice we’re gone?” Jared breathes, a crooked grin pulling at the corner of his lips.
“Not a chance. They’re too busy interrogating my aunt’s new husband. Husband number three.”
“Aunt Yahira?”
“Mm-hmm,” I hum, leaning in again. The kiss deepens, and I thread my fingers through his hair, pulling him closer.
“Are you sure this isn’t an awful idea?” he insists.
