“I know how to hug, thank you very much.”
And he proved it by properly taking her in his arms and holding her close, like she was the one needing comfort. She rested her face in the crook of his neck and breathed him in. He was good at this. Too good. His neck was warm and smelled clean and inviting. Kissable.
“Oh, look at the two of you.”
Dillon immediately released her and straightened. Yeah, his jumpy reactions needed to go. She’d have to coach him on that later. He wasn’t supposed to look embarrassed to be caught hugging his girlfriend.
Brenda patted his cheek. “I found the mandarin oranges. Would you mind pulling out my glass pan? I think it’s buried under the baking dishes.”
“Sure.” He practically ran to the bottom cupboard, obviously eager to have something to do.
Lina took the dish towel off the counter and wiped up the water splashes. Dillon was an enthusiastic dishwasher, and it looked like a typhoon hit their sink. Then she moved to the dining table. Alec had left his pop can behind, along with a used paper plate. She threw them both in the garbage and straightened the tablecloth and runner Brenda had so carefully put together.
“Thank you, dear.”
Brenda was right over her shoulder, and Lina jumped in surprise, but quickly recovered. The woman had to be part ninja to sneak up on people so well.
Brenda smiled. “So, tell me all about yourself. Where do you work? Where do you live? Where’s your family today?”
Behind his mom, Dillon was waving his arms in an x. Did he want Lina to lie? She’d already told Josie and Alec the story of how she and Dillon had met in their apartment gym, so it made no sense to lie about where she lived.
“I’m a dental hygienist here in Phoenix, and I live in Dillon’s apartment complex, actually.”
Dillon hung his head, practically bending over in disapproval. His despondent game of charades was making Lina want to laugh, and she had to tune him out.
Brenda pressed her palms to her cheeks. “That’s wonderful. Which apartment number is yours?”
Okay, maybe he’d been on to something. Lina had never encountered anyone that specific in their nosiness before. She opened and closed her mouth and then glanced at Dillon for help.
“Mom, is something burning?”
“I don’t think so.” Brenda whirled around and ran to the double ovens. One held the turkey, the other a pie. Neither were burning, but the distraction worked. “I need to baste the turkey. Dillon, help me pull the pan out.”
While those two teamed up in an effort to keep the turkey moisturized, the front door creaked open and the sounds of a joyful greeting between Josie and a male voice caught Lina’s attention. She retreated to the doorway to peek out. A younger version of Dillon stood in the entryway, hugging Josie. Even with Josie’s arms around him, the guy kept ahold of his girlfriend’s hand. The girlfriend looked terribly uncomfortable and just about jumped out of her skin when one of the dogs stuck its nose through the crack in the door that had been left open and sniffed her from behind. Dillon’s brother let go of Josie, nudged the dog back outside, and shut the door.
“This is my girlfriend, Heather. Heather, this is my big sister, Josie.”
“Oh, come here.” Josie came in for a hug, though it was clear Heather was less than eager. Josie was not tall, but she towered over the petite redhead by a good six inches.
Brenda bumped into Lina’s shoulder on her way to be a part of the excitement in the entryway. “Kip’s here!” She threw her arms around him and hugged him tight, murmuring how very much she had missed him. Heather was sort of an afterthought, albeit an enthusiastic one. “I need a hug from Heather, too,” Brenda sing-songed, arms out in greeting. “So nice to meet you. I love your red hair. You must be a fiery little thing.”
Dillon sighed, coming up to stand next to Lina. “I am so sorry.”
Lina nudged his shoulder. “For what?”
“For bringing you into this. I have a feeling I’ll need a new workout buddy after today.”
“It’s early. Wait a few hours before you get all doom and gloom on me.”
Brenda finally let go of Heather and finished the introductions. “Dillon brought a girl for Thanksgiving, too.” She waved Dillon over. “Dillon, come meet Heather. You too, Lina. I bet you and Heather are going to be fast friends by the end of the day. The two girlfriends, and maybe someday more.”
Kip and Dillon both looked mortified. It was time to use distraction to divide and conquer. Lina shook Kip and Heather’s hands before threading her arm through Brenda’s. “Did you ever get the Jell-O in the refrigerator?”
Brenda scratched her chin. “You know, I’m not sure. Would you be a dear and check for me?” Brenda was already reaching around Lina to try to get Heather’s attention, obviously eager to talk to her again.
“And did you already add the mandarin oranges?” Lina asked. “You add the fruit at the beginning, right?” She headed for the kitchen before Brenda could answer, knowing perfectly well the fruit didn’t go in until the gelatin was almost firm.
Sure enough, Brenda caught up to stop her. “No dear. You can’t add the mandarin oranges yet. They’ll all sink to the bottom, and the whole thing won’t set. And you have to drain them really well before you add them.”
