“I was prepared to raise hell about it, mind. But you didn’t even try.” Jack looked out over the backyard. “So, in the end, I figured she was better off without you.”
“You weren’t wrong,” Mark said, polishing off his scotch.
“I wasn’t.” Jack nodded. “Not then. But I can see that the Army turned you into an honorable man, and I can also see that you and my daughter are still crazy about each other. You have my blessing this time around, Mark.”
Mark nodded. “Thank you, sir. That means a lot.”
Jack’s eyes narrowed. “Hurt her again and you’ll wish you never met me. Clear?”
***
Jessica reached for her apple cider, wishing it were something alcoholic. This had been an exhausting Thanksgiving, and if she was feeling overwhelmed by it all, she could only imagine how Mark felt. After dinner at her parents’ house, they’d come to Ryan and Emma’s for dessert. Carly and Sam were here too, and while Jessica loved spending time with her friends during the holiday, the dynamic today was completely different.
This was the first time she and Mark had hung out with their friends as a couple. And to be perfectly honest, it was a little weird. This was a huge step forward in their relationship, no two ways about it. She leaned in to whisper in Mark’s ear. “How are you holding up?”
He turned to give her an amused smile. “I’m good.”
“Who’s ready for more?” Emma asked, gesturing to the half-eaten desserts spread on the table in front of them. “Seriously, we have so much food left. Eat up, you guys.”
Ryan reached for the pumpkin pie, cutting himself another slice.
“I’m stuffed,” Jessica said. She’d had a small slice of apple pie at her parents’ house and a small slice of Emma’s pumpkin cheesecake, and already she felt sick to her stomach.
“You barely ate anything,” Carly protested. “You haven’t even had one of my pecan pie tarts yet, and you’re the one who requested them.” As she spoke, Sam slid two more tarts onto his plate with a sly smile.
Jessica frowned. “I’m sorry. Blame the antibiotics.”
Beside her, Mark was loading up a plate with second helpings of pie, cheesecake, and one of Carly’s tarts too. The man had a serious sweet tooth.
“I still can’t believe it,” Emma said. “Lyme disease?”
“I didn’t think we even had to worry about Lyme disease here in North Carolina,” Carly said.
“I didn’t either,” Jessica said. “It’s less common here than other parts of the U.S., but apparently the rates are going up.”
“That’s scary,” Emma said. “Especially considering how much time we all spend in the woods. And Jess, I’m just so sorry you’re going through this. I had no idea you’d been so sick.”
“I know. I just got tired of hearing myself complain about it.” She leaned her head against Mark’s shoulder. “Poor Mark had to endure all my griping.”
“You never griped,” he said, taking a big bite of pie.
“We hate that you’re sick,” Ryan said, “but I can’t tell you how much I’m enjoying watching you and Mark be all snuggly together tonight.”
“Snuggly?” Mark’s expression was stony.
Emma giggled. “You guys are all kinds of sweet together, and we love it.”
“But I wish you had told us you weren’t feeling well before the Adrenaline Rush,” Carly said. “I feel so bad about that.”
“You shouldn’t,” Jessica said. “I had fun, and I’m glad I ran.”
“Well, don’t hesitate to lean on us for anything you need,” Emma said. “Seriously, we’re all here for you.”
A murmur of agreement ran around the table.
Jessica pressed a hand to her chest. “I appreciate it, you guys. Really.”
After everyone had stuffed themselves on dessert, the women drifted into the kitchen to chat while the men took beers with them into the living room to watch football. Some things were the same no matter whose house you visited.
