Page 103 of The Thought of You

I only shrug, but my throat thickens.

Addie just spent the last hour dominating in Jenga. Laurel is the most competitive of us all, and she was so irate over the first loss, she agreed to play again… and again.

She lost each time and wanted to play another round, even though she’d originally insisted she couldn’t stay long. My sister is the sorest loser of them all.

We would’ve played more, but Whitney needs to head home. With Huck in her arms and a diaper bag strapped to her back, she swivels in front of the door to say her goodbyes. To Laurel, she chirps, “I’ll see you when I see you. Feel free to call when you’re not studying for the Step Up.”

“It’s Step 1,” Laurel corrects. “Step Up is a dance movie.”

Whitney rolls her eyes as Laurel bends to kiss Huck on the back of his fuzzy little head. “Just… good luck studying.” Laurel then busies herself with Mom and Dad, and Whitney leans into me to whisper, “Nice job getting a life.”

I follow her nod in the direction of Addie, who makes her way down the hall toward us, her knee-length skirt sashaying from side to side.

My parents leave right behind Whitney, but not before my mother takes me aside, a million questions in her eyes as they bounce from me to Addie and back. All she says is “We should chat soon.”

I figured she’d be curious about Addie since I never bring girls to family dinner, but Mom hardly ever wants to chat with just me, which means she’s far more than simply curious.

This is damn serious.

Lottie joins the remainder of us by the front door and loops her arm through Laurel’s. “We’re still going shopping this weekend, right? I need to get a dress for Theresa’s wedding next month.”

“Your old college roommate? She’s getting married?” Laurel asks as she retrieves Lottie’s coat from the rack for her.

“Yes!” She throws her head back. “I’ve told you this a zillion times. She’s having an outdoor wedding in a heated tent. I told you the whole debacle about the initial scam she almost fell victim to, but then her mother’s friend from Tampa personally knew a guy whose brother had a connection with a legit heated tent company.”

Laurel tilts her head. “You really think I remember all that? I have far too many other details to worry about at school.”

“You could at least remember that she’s getting married,” my other sister mumbles.

“I’ll write it down,” Laurel deadpans.

“Goodbye, big brother.” Lottie throws her arm around my shoulders, and Laurel waves to Addie.

“It was nice to meet you, and I’m serious about the rematch.”

“Name the time and place.” Addie juts her chin up, her eyes a mix of amusement and challenge.

As they tug the door open, Addie raises her voice when she tells me, “Before I leave, I just need to go over some details with you about class tomorrow.”

Laurel and Lottie share a knowing glance, and I can tell they don’t buy Addie’s stiffly delivered lie. I wouldn’t, either, but I let her have this.

“Yes. Very important stuff,” I play along for the sake of our agreement to keep things secret.

My sisters are not that gullible, though. My whole family knows something’s up with Addie and me—I didn’t have to say it. They’re a smart bunch, but there’s also the fact that I’ve never introduced them to a woman before, except for Vice Principal Sable. I ran into her when I was shopping with Lottie at the grocery store, but that’s the extent of such introductions.

I’m sure my sisters will have loads of questions too. We’ll see how long it takes before they explode with them all.

But right now, I have one person and one thing on my mind.

Once they disappear through the front door, I’m finally left alone with Addie.

I’m more aware of the silence now that everyone’s gone, and more than that, I’m aware of her. Everything about her screams at me—her blue eyes are soft tonight with the lightest touch of mascara, both cheeks are tinted crimson, and her lips are pale from licking them all night.

She enjoyed the lasagna and the pie. That much was obvious, given she was the last to sit down with a plate and the first to empty it.

I also got the impression she doesn’t experience this a lot with her own parents, if ever. I knew big gatherings weren’t in her wheelhouse since she’s an only child, but I didn’t expect to witness how big of a deal it is.

She appreciates tradition, and I just inadvertently hurled her right into the middle of several of them.

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