Page 83 of Release Me

“That’d be perfect actually,” Sloane says to Nadia who giggles. “Then we can invite my best friend Mal and make it a girl’s night.”

“Yesss! I’ll bring my best friend, Desiree, and we’ll have a ball.”

Even though I’m listening to Nadia actively plan to leave me in the dust for Sloane, Desiree and Mal, I can’t find myself to feel anything but happiness because making plans for the future, even in the most general of terms, means that Nadia is creating a life here in New Haven. Developing bonds and friendships outside of me that I hope will make it harder for her to give in to her instinct to run if things get to be too much.

Since our conversation on the rooftop about Beau, I’ve made it a priority to put her in situations where she could do just that. Taking her over to Mom and Dad’s house for dinner, going to the movies with Zoe and Luca, attending a boring ass lecture Andreas gave at the college, and now, this dinner with Nic and Sloane. All things to remind her that she is not alone in this world anymore, so she doesn’t have to run. She can stay and fight, and we’ll stand beside her.

I’ll stand beside her.

By the time we leave Roku, Nadia and Sloane have exchanged numbers, and I have been roped into making the rooftop available for an engagement party Nic didn’t seem aware they were having at the end of the month. As I drive us home, Nadia is alternating between writing down ideas in her notes app and bouncing in her seat with excitement.

“Sloane sent me pictures of the engagement set up! Did you know Nic built her a house out of candles?” She’s gushing and her voice is pitched high. “I think we should line the perimeter of the rooftop with the same kind of candles for the party. It’ll be such a nice tie in.”

“That sounds amazing, precious.” My attention should be on the road, but I can’t stop looking at her, can’t stop soaking in the joy pouring off of her in waves. “You’re really excited aren’t you?”

“I love a good party, Seb. Especially one that’s all about love and has no budget to speak of.”

“You’re going to make Nic regret saying that aren’t you?”

“No.” She laughs, and the lights from the city stream in through the moon roof, highlighting the smile lines around her eyes. “My mom always said just because you have the money doesn’t mean you should spend it, so I’ll make sure to get the best deals on everything and only splurge on the important stuff like wine.”

“Nic doesn’t drink, precious,” I say as I turn into the parking garage underneath our building. The look on Nadia’s face tells me the reminder was a waste of my breath.

“Yeah, but everyone else does.”

“I guess you’re right.”

“I am.” She’s on her phone now, probably emailing Ruthie and Elle to ask them for their assistance.

“What date did you and Sloane settle on again?”

“The 27th. It’ll be tight, but I think I can pull everything together in time.”

As I pull into the parking spot designated for Nadia’s unit, I run the date through my mental calendar, making sure I don’t have anything on the books. “That’s the Saturday after Thanksgiving, right?”

Nadia’s brow furrows. “Is it?”

“I think so.”

I watch her close out her email and open her calendar to confirm. “Yeah, it is. God, this month is flying by, I guess I need to figure out my plans for Thanksgiving.”

“You mean other than having dinner with me and my family?”

“I didn’t…I didn’t realize I was included in your Thanksgiving plans.”

“You’re included in all of my plans, precious.”

“Oh.” Her eyes go all soft, pools of brown melting into liquid caramel. “Do you guys usually have dinner at your parents’ place or are y’all one of those weird families that go out?”

“We usually eat at Mom and Dad’s, but I was thinking we could do things a little different this year.”

“How so?” Nadia asks.

I reach over and grab her hand. “I was thinking we could host. Give Mom a break from cooking, keep Dad from trying to burn the house down deep frying another turkey.”

The idea is freshly formed, but as I say it, it feels right. As the oldest son, I always assumed that holidays would eventually become one of my responsibilities. I thought it’d come when I got married and had a house, but as much as everyone in my family adores Talia, it never felt right. She didn’t have the desire to host or entertain, two things Nadia seems to enjoy.

“Sebastian.” She shakes her head, looking at me like I’ve just asked her to join a cult. “Thanksgiving is a family thing?—”

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