Page 102 of Nocere

I nodded toward the table and pulled out a chair for Sam. The way she looked at me, with a surprised smile and lifted brow, made me chuckle.

"I'm chivalrous. What can I say?" I pushed her chair in when she sat. "What can I get you to drink? Soda? Water? Wine?"

"You're cute and maybe I should start with soda." She leaned over and kissed my belly, her eyes lingering a moment on the scarf still around my neck.

"How come you never pull out my chair?" Alex snickered and I swatted her.

"Sit yourself down. What do you want to drink?" I asked while she tugged at me.

"Same. Soda. Wine makes me too full. I need to eat all of this." She gestured to the table before dropping into a seat beside Sam.

"Be right back." I stroked Sam's hair before heading off to the kitchen to grab the drinks.

"Ready, sweet girl?" asked Rebecca as she lifted the foil from the cooling turkey.

"I am."

Steve appeared from the basement with Jason. They headed right for the turkey and Steve hefted it onto the platter.

"Hey, sis." Jason grabbed me in a rough hug. "Where's your hot chick? I wanna meet her."

I laughed and hugged his arms. "In the dining room. Be nice."

"I will." He messed up my hair and I squeaked.

"Jay!" I fixed my bangs and he laughed on his way in to join the girls.

"Hi, doll." Steve smooched my cheek. "Should I go easy on grilling your new love interest?"

"Yes." My cheeks heated immediately. "She's lovely. You be nice, too."

"She better be good enough for my only girl." He tapped his temple. "Remember that."

"She's the best, Steve. The absolute best," I said and Rebecca handed me a bowl of potatoes.

"Then I will go easy." He winked at me and lifted the turkey platter to carry in.

"We have so much food." I laughed out my anxiety and followed the two of them in.

"S'what you get for having holidays with Italians."

Introductions, turkey carving, food passing, and full plates accompanied the comfortable conversation. Jason and Alex led the way, while Sam and I listened to everyone else. She nearly startled me when she gave my leg a squeeze after she placed her napkin back in her lap. I smiled at her and she winked at me.

"So, Samirah, you're a doctor, I hear," Steve piped, interrupting Alex and Jason's conversation about politics. Luckily, they shared similar views.

"I am, Mister Santoro, yes. Anesthesiologist at U.W. Medical presently." Sam's doctor face and demeanor remained in place since the moment she fetched the gifted wine from the car.

"Call me Steve. Impressive. I guess I don't need to ask how you'll be taking care of our Rosie then." He grinned and Rebecca slapped his arm.

"Dad!"

"Steven!"

Alex giggled at the dual shouts and Sam laughed. I dropped my face in my hands, and shook my head.

"What! What did'ja expect from me? She's our kid!" Steve snatched a bite of turkey loaded with mashed potatoes from his plate.

"Quit yelling, Dad," scolded Jason.

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