“He’s nice, and doesn’t fuck anything that walks so he’s already leagues better than you.”
“I don’t fuck anything that walks,” Parker grumbles.
“Who’s ready to eat?” Jameson announces, putting an end to their bickering for now.
“What’s their deal?” I whisper to Bailey as everyone gathers around the already set table.
“I don’t know the whole story, but they used to date. She went to college and now has a boyfriend.” She shrugs.
I hum, not wanting to get in the middle of any sort of these twenty somethings’ drama, but the way I’ve seen them bicker leaves me curious. Especially considering I’m about to sit through a whole Thanksgiving dinner with them.
Sorry,friendsgivingdinner.
Bailey attempts to sit in a chair somewhere away from me, but I don’t let her, making sure to grab the seat directly next to her. She stares daggers at me, but once we’re sitting down I lean over to whisper in her ear. “Remember what happened when we were here for Jameson and Sutton’s wedding. Keep it up if you want a repeat.”
She sucks in a sharp breath and I sit up straight.
“Thank you all for coming,” Emily says sweetly. “Thank youJameson and Sutton for organizing this and inviting you all here. You don’t know what this means to me.”
“To Mrs. Turner,” Parker announces raising his glass, and the rest of us do the same in a cheers motion.
The table is full and as everyone starts to load up their plates, the noise level increases from the conversations. Looking around, I watch how Jameson and Sutton sit so close they’re touching, and keep saying things to one another with smiles. Parker is sitting across from Lily who’s sitting next to her mom. Some of Jameson’s other coworkers are here, Dave and a woman I don’t know. There’s also another woman next to Lily’s mom and they look so similar I’m assuming they’re sisters or related somehow.
There’s so many conversations going on at once, I couldn’t keep up even if I wanted to. The noise is borderline too much for me, and I do my best to tune it all out, focusing on the food instead. I eat a little bit of everything, and it’s delicious. But it’s so loud I don’t think Emily would hear me even if I said something to her about it.
I look around for Bruno and see him laying against a wall in the living room, he seems to look about the same as I feel. The other three dogs are around the table near their respective owners probably hoping for some food scraps to hit the floor.
I feel the pressure of a hand slide onto my thigh, and my eyes swing over to Bailey who has a concerned look on her face.
“Are you okay?” she asks gently.
Clearing my throat, I nod. “Fine.”
I look away, and down to my plate that’s now empty, but Iscrape my fork around like I’m collecting more food on it. I can feel Bailey’s eyes on me like she doesn’t believe me. Maybe that’s why her hand remains on my thigh. Surprisingly, the heat of it is enough to help bring my heart rate down the smallest bit.
After dinner we all help clean up before dessert. I don’t opt for any pie, but Emily gives me a playful glare and tells me that not having pie on Thanksgiving is a crime.
“You’re offending the host.” Bailey nudges me when she overhears the scolding I get.
“I’ll make it up to her by helping with the dishes.”
“If she lets you.”
“She will, I’m clearly her favorite.”
Bailey scoffs, shaking her head.
The rest of the evening goes by smoothly, other than the constant bickering between Lily and Parker, who single handedly became the entertainment. We don’t need TV or music when those two are around because they’re their own reality show.
I’m not going to pressure Bailey to leave before she’s ready because I’m not going to rush her time with her friends. Though, as I watch her, she doesn’t talk much either. Both of us remain mostly quiet, observing those around us more than participating in any conversations.
Which is why I’m not entirely surprised when shortly after dessert, when Emily did in fact shoot me down about helping her with the dishes, Bailey says she’s ready to go.
We say goodbye to everyone; I notice she hangs back with Sutton and Lily for a few moments longer, and I head to the car with the dogs to wait for her.
Sadie lays down on the backseat while Bruno lays on the floor in the back. I glance back at them. “Good job, giving the lady the seat.”
The passenger door opens and Bailey climbs in. We don’t say anything as I drive us back to our neighborhood.
