“Pick a dish and take it out,” Mom directs while she oversees the gravy.
We reach for the same thing. Cole clears his throat and nods with his chin for me to go first.
“Do you need help carving the bird?” he offers.
Dad claps him on the shoulder with a hearty laugh. “That’s my job. Are you gunning for that one next?”
“No, sir,” he answers too quickly.
“Relax. I’m not that old, but I’m not that young, either. Eventually I’ll retire.”
I take a bowl of potatoes to the dining table. Cole trails after me with roasted vegetables.
“Where should I put this?”
“Anywhere you find room,” I answer.
The table is fully decked out with place settings and an autumnal centerpiece. I spot an open area. We move for it simultaneously.
Our hands brush when we set our dishes down side by side. The brief touch sends a thrilling jolt through me. I startle with a small gasp, putting space between us.
I move so quickly I hip-check one of the chairs. Biting back a grunt at the minor pain, I rub the dull ache. It’s not bad. In a moment it will be gone.
“Are you okay?” His hands hang in the air as if he’s reaching for me before he drops them.
“What? Yeah, I’m good. Excited to eat.”
He inclines his head, studying me from the corner of his eye. “If you’re worried, I’m not going to say anything.”
My breath catches again. I push him away from the table. He goes without complaint, watching me while I herd him backwards until he’s against the wall. His abdomen is firmbeneath my palms. I enjoy it for a fraction of a second before I yank my hands off him.
I glance at the door to the kitchen, then back to Cole. All those what ifs I thought about come rushing back.
“I thought we promised not to talk about that?” I whisper. “You know, the thing that shall not be named that definitely didn’t happen.”
His green eyes flicker between mine, making my heart beat harder. “Right. Sorry.”
We stare each other down. He smells incredible. The spiced, woodsy aftershave makes my head spin in a good way. I rub my fingers together to keep myself from putting my hands back on him while he studies me, quiet and unwavering as if we’re the only two people in the world.
The moment between us breaks when Benson arrives with Jess. I realize how close we’re standing. We both tear our gazes from each other. He goes to greet my brother and his wife.
After a moment of saying hello, Jess sidles over to me while the guys talk. I give her a wry smile and she walks into my open arms, returning my hug. I love her laid-back nature. She’s been the perfect balance to my chaos since she became part of the family when she met Benson in college.
“Hey girl,” I say. “Missed my battle partner.”
She sweeps her sleek dark hair over her shoulder. “I know, I’m sorry. This new distributor insisted one of us fly out to sign the paperwork.”
“That’s so great. Soon enough you guys will be everywhere.”
She crosses her fingers with a smirk. I hook my arm with hers and we stroll together to get glasses of wine from the bar cart in the corner.
“Speaking of kicking ass at business, I feel like I have to tell you first.”
Her expression shifts with interest. “What is it? Wait—are you going to do it?”
I bite my lip, nodding. “I think so.”
I’ve had a few false starts since graduating from Heston. She was one of the first people I told about my idea for a lifestyle brand to sell the things I create and she’s helped me with suggestions for getting started.
