“And I’m thankful for you, my darling.” He pats Harley on the hand. “And you, my darling.”
Gemma takes a long swig of her wine. “Not going to lie, guys, there’s been some times lately when I haven’t felt all that grateful.”
Harley and I exchange a heavy look across the table.
“But even though shit sucks sometimes, I know I can always count on everyone in this room to support me, and I’m very thankful for that.”
I reach in front of Jack and squeeze her hand. When I pull my handback, my arm brushes up against Jack’s chest and his breath hitches at the contact.
Technically it should be Jack’s turn since he’s next to Gemma, but I decide to jump in and go first. “I have a lot to be thankful for this year, namely everyone sitting at this table. Thank you all for supporting me when I decided to pull the ultimate millennial move and open my own florist business. Thank you for listening to me plan and whine and complain, and thank you for making deliveries and pitching in any time I needed help.” I angle myself slightly toward Jack. “And thank you, Jack, for being literally the world’s best landlord and letting me live in your beautiful home for such a pittance it should be an actual crime. None of this would’ve ever happened without you and your generosity, so thank you.”
The corners of his lips turn up in the sweetest smile and he gives me a look filled with such powerful emotion, if I didn’t know any better, I might call it love.
Jack clears his throat, turning his attention to the table at large. “This might sound like a cop-out, but honestly, the thing I’m most thankful for in this moment is Thanksgiving.” He pauses, clearing his throat again. “It’s been a long time since I celebrated any sort of holiday, and for many years now, I assumed a scene like this, being surrounded by family, just wasn’t in the cards for me.”
I attempt to blink a lot, and surreptitiously, but I don’t think it works. My heart is pounding out an accelerated rhythm in my chest, so hard it almost hurts.
Jack cocks his head in my direction. “And then this one blew into a café, late and loud, never stopped talking the whole time.” He pauses while everyone at the table chuckles. “And she changed my life.” Heshifts in his seat, turning to face me. “You changed my life, Sadie. You brought family and friends and laughter and happiness and a whole damn floral shop into my home. Our home. And with all of that, you brought me back to life.” He reaches over and takes my hand in his. “And for that, I will be eternally thankful.”
I want to open my mouth and say a million things, but I know if I do, I’ll completely lose my shit. So instead, I dab my eyes with my napkin, somewhat comforted to notice Harley and Mrs. Roberts doing the same, and I squeeze his hand like I don’t ever want to let go. Because I don’t.
“Fuck, man, how is anyone ever supposed to top that?” Nick wise-cracks the emotion in the air like it’s an egg.
Jack smiles and shrugs. “At least I went last, and you have a whole year to think about it.”
We all laugh and dry our tears and drink more wine and eat another round of mac and cheese. And all the while, Jack keeps hold of my hand.
Everyone says goodbye a few hours later, buzzed on laughter and wine, sleepy from turkey and a long day. I close the door behind Gemma, who promises to come over tomorrow to help do dishes, even though she definitely won’t. Not that I care—I’d do a million dishes if it meant getting to repeat this night.
Jack is in the kitchen, surveying the mountain of china and platters.
I lean my butt against the peninsula. “Don’t even bother starting now, we can deal with it tomorrow.”
He throws down the dish towel he was holding. “Don’t have to tell me twice.” He crosses over to me, landing just a few inches outside of my personal bubble.
When I definitely want him all up in my bubble. I reach out a hand, hooking my finger through the belt loop on his jeans. “Thank you for what you said tonight.”
He runs his fingers along my forearm, cupping my elbow in the palm of his hand. “I meant all of it.”
I give a little tug and he comes a few inches closer. “You’ve given me more than I could ever repay you for, Jack.”
His hand travels up my arm and he takes another step in, our chests now pressed together. His other hand reaches up, his thumb tracing along my jaw. “You have given me everything.”
We both inhale a deep breath, the movement bringing our bodies even closer.
He gently tilts my head up, his mouth hovering an inch away from mine. “I want to go all in, Sadie.”
“Fuck yes,” I breathe.
He grins and closes the space between us, with a brush of his lips so gentle I don’t know if I’ll even feel it.
Except I feel it.
Electricity shoots through my veins, and for a moment I’m breathless.
Jack puts the tiniest sliver of space back between us, for the tiniest sliver of a second, before his lips come crashing down on mine, and what was a bolt of electricity turns into a lightning storm. He cups the nape of my neck with those strong, perfect fingers, clutching me to him like he doesn’t ever want to let me go. And I so hope he never lets me go.
My hands roam, up his back and over his chest, until they slip under his shirt and he groans into my mouth. My fingers latch on to those lean muscles, tracing each ridge and cut, skirting up over his chest, finally reaching up to the curls at the nape of his neck, twisting into them. I rise up on my toes, needing every inch of me to be pressed into every inch of him.
