Page 77 of Before I Loved You

I guess this family is filled with huggers.

“And I’m Kevin,” the second guy says as he scoops me up in his massive arms, bringing me up to a height I’ve never seen before. It’s immediately evident that Kevin likes to go to the gym. His body is muscular and beefy, unlike his two older brothers, who stare at him as he swings me around.

“Put her down, Kevin. She’s not a damn doll for you to play with,” Paul scolds.

Kevin gracefully places me back on the ground. “Well, someone is a little possessive over his friend.”

Paul’s hand wraps around my waist, pulling me in beside him. “I don’t share.”

“You never were good with sharing growing up. Guess that’s one thing that never changed.” Kevin winks at me.

“Now, now, boys,” Mrs. Weston admonishes. “Play nice, please. It’s Thanksgiving.”

“Yes, Mom,” all three say in unison, causing me to stifle a laugh.

“Uncle Kevin! Uncle Kevin! Pick me up like that!” Lucas wraps himself around Kevin’s leg, begging for his turn in his arms.

“Okay, little man. But no getting sick this time,” Kevin remarks as he lifts Lucas.

“I was three when that happened. I’m older now. I’m almost four,” Lucas reminds him.

Mrs. Weston laughs at the scene before her. “Well, what are we all waiting for? Let’s go stuff our faces!”

“Here! Here!” Ray and Kevin cheer in unison, leading the way into the dining room, everyone else following closely behind.

Paul pulls me aside before entering the room. “Everything okay so far? Is this too much for you?”

I shake my head, smiling. “No. This isn’t too much.” I give a half shrug. “Your mom wasn’t what I expected.” Releasing a breath, I confess, “When I got here and saw the size of your home, I envisioned getting ambushed by judgmental snobs, but she was…so warm and welcoming. Your whole family is, and it wasn’t what I anticipated.” I swallow down my emotions, giving Paul my best attempt at a smile. “They seem really great.”

“They are.” He smiles. “I’m lucky to have them.” Paul’s lips press against my temple as his hand finds mine. “Let’s go eat. But I’m saving room for dessert.”

“Please tell me you’re not talking about that horrible pie I brought?”

He shakes his head. “Nah. I’m not talking about the pie. I’m talking about you.” He winks as he enters the room, leaving me completely and utterly weak in my damn knees.

eighteen

PAUL

I stretch my long legs in front of the roaring fire, rubbing one hand over my full stomach and placing my other on the back of the couch behind Sarah, snuggled up alongside me. Gazing out the window to my right, I see snow falling steadily, painting our backyard in a thick coating of pure white.

Life is good.

When I peek down, I find Sarah’s eyes closed and her lips faintly parted. The sight of her soundly sleeping against me causes a slight warmth in my chest. I reach for the beige sherpa blanket and pull it up around her, covering her legs tucked in beside her.

“I don’t think I can eat another bite,” Kevin grumbles, sprawled out on the floor.

“I might have a little room left for one more piece of pie,” I admit, patting my stomach.

As if on cue, my mom walks into the room. “Anyone want any more pie before I pack everything up?” Her eyes land on Sarah, glossing over.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

She dismisses me with a hand wave. “Absolutely nothing.”

“I could go for a piece of the apple pie,” I say. Just the thought of it makes my mouth water.

Thankfully, there’s no more pumpkin pie after I roped in Kevin and Ray to help me finish it. The thing tasted like a hard-boiled egg, leaving a horrid aftertaste, and I now owe them both fifty dollars. But seeing Sarah’s heart-stopping smile as she watched us pretend to enjoy it made it all worth it.

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