“Auntie!”Ari came stampeding downstairs and knocked me aside todive inher arms.
Aunt Helen laughed and widened her arms to hug us both.“It’s so good to see you girls. I miss you both so much.”She gently pried us off so we could pass the doorway and enter the living room, where Sean and Dennis had already greeted Uncle Tom.
“Auntie, this is Sean,”Ari gestured toward him.“And that’s Dennis. Sean and Dennis, this is ourAunt Helen.”
“Call me Helen,”she told them.
“Nice to meet you, Helen.”Sean was the first to shake her hand.“We’re just leaving. We’ll see you guys later.”
“Nice to meet you.”Dennispassed the drinks to Sean and shook her hand next, seeming faintly amused when her eyes lingered on the ‘bloodlust’ across his knuckles.
“You too.” She recovered quickly and smiled.
“See you later.”Dennis flashed a smirk at me, and then they were out the door.
I looked at Ari, who looked at me, and a silent conversation was had.“You wanna invite them tomorrow?”I was the first to ask it out loud.
Her face lit up and we both looked to her dad.“Can we?”she asked.
“Of course.”
“We’ll be right back.”I grabbed Ari’s hand andwe hurried outside.“Wait!”I shouted after the guys, who were halfway down the block. They waited for us to catch up.
“What’re you doing for Thanksgiving?”Ari asked.
Sean grinned while Dennis’face remained blank.
“Nothing,”Dennis said, running a hand through his hair.“We never do anything.”
“I don’tvisit my family. I don’t get along with them much,”Sean said.
“You wanna come over?”I paused before adding,“Mateo, too.”
“Mateoalways leaves to visit family,”Dennissaid.
“Sure.I’ll come,” Sean said.
“I’ll pass.”
“But it’s Thanksgiving. You’re supposed to be with the people you care about.” I poutedat Dennis, not even trying to be cute this time. I was genuinely sad.
“And give thanks for what?” He raised an eyebrow, pessimistic as always.
“For having the perfect bind,” I said quietly.
“You’re so conceited.”Ari laughed, but I shook my head.
“No,”I looked at Dennis,“I was talking about you.”
He stared at me for several seconds and I awkwardly stared back. And then his lips turned up in asmile.“I guess I’ll come.”
“Yay!”I grabbed him in a tight hug. I had no intention of letting go.
“Vixen.”He clearly wanted to be free.
“Nope.”I buried my face in his yummy smelling neck.“I’m comfy.”
“Should we bring anything tomorrow?” Sean asked.
