Page 41 of Merry with Me

“Technically, it’s the massive amount of leftovers we all got sent home with, but since you didn’t have a proper Thanksgiving dinner, then yes, I brought you dinner too.”

“That’s yours, Blake.”

“Are you kidding me? Isla and I would never eat all of this. Besides, I’ve decided you’re eating.” I step around him, move toward the kitchen, and start unpacking the bags. He joins me, placing the pumpkin pie bag on the island before sliding onto a stool and watching me work.

“Are you going to eat with me?”

“No,” I groan. “I’m stuffed. I don’t think I could eat another bite.”

I collect a plate, remembering where I saw him grab them, and get to work piling turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, broccoli casserole, macaroni and cheese, corn, green beans, and stuffing onto the plate.

“Wow. You all really do go all out.”

“You have no idea.” I laugh as I pop the plate into the microwave and grab a fork from the drawer.

“You seem to know your way around my kitchen.”

“I pay attention.” The microwave beeps, and I make quick work of removing the plate, plopping two deviled eggs and two rolls on the side before placing it in front of him.

“That’s a lot of food.”

“That’s what Thanksgiving is about. Spending time with those who are special to you, being thankful for what you have, and eating way too much food.”

He stares down at the plate for a long time, so long in fact, I’m not sure he’s going to eat. His eyes finally find mine. “I’m thankful you’re here.”

My heart stalls in my chest. The look on his face, the earnest look in his eyes, cuts my chest wide open and wraps around my heart. “Me too, Ollie. Me too.”

“Come sit with me.” He pulls the stool out next to him, and after I grab us both a water, I take the seat as suggested. “Tell me about your day.”

So that’s what I do. I tell him how I beat my cousins in Uno and how my team won the annual Thanksgiving family football game. I tell him about the Christmas movie the ladies watched while the guys glued their eyes to the other TV, watching the game. I ramble every little detail until his plate is clean.

“Ready for dessert?” He’s cleaned his place, and it makes my heart smile that he enjoyed the meal my family prepared with love.

“Not yet.” He laughs.

“Fine. How about we watch a movie while your food settles?”

“Sure.”

“My choice.”

“Yeah, Blake, your choice.”

I don’t hide my grin. He has to know I’m picking a Christmas movie. I’m determined to bring the holiday back into this man’s life. It just so happens that I get to spend time with him—something I’m enjoying way more than I thought I would, or even than I should, but I’m not going to let that stop me. Come on, our family motto is to work hard, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do. I’m going to work hard to show Oliver Thompson that his past is that, in the past, and that he can still enjoy the holiday.

At least that’s my plan.

Oliver cleans up, choosing to rinse his plate and leave it in the sink while I settle on the couch and pick out a movie. He sits in the spot right next to me.

“What are we watching?”

I nod toward the screen.

He chuckles. “Yeah, I figured.”

“You’re not going to tell me no?”

He looks over at me, and his eyes soften. “I’m not sure that I can.”

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