Page 69 of Counting the Stars

“How is it possible to die of starvation on Thanksgiving Day?”

“You know there are so many things wrong with that sentence.” Gabby points a turkey baster at me.

Okay, so it’s not the real Thanksgiving and I might’ve had some cereal for breakfast, but the smell coming from our oven is making my mouth water. Last year, everyone spent Thanksgiving differently. Well, almost everyone. Michelle took Aly home with her to be her emotional support person, Jax and Carter each went back to their childhood homes, while Gabby and I both worked. I always volunteer to work the holidays so those with families can take the day off.

This year is similar to last year. Gabby and I are both working; Jax, Carter, and Michelle are still going home to their families; only this time, Aly is spending the holiday with her in-laws instead. Since we’re not going to be together again this year, the girls collectively decide to hold a Friendsgiving two weeks before the actual holiday.

“Damn, it smells good in here.” Carter walks through the door and takes a large whiff of the turkey roasting in our oven. Our kitchen was dedicated to cooking the bird. Aly is working on the side dishes at her and Jax’s place, and Michelle is baking up all the sweet desserts next door.

“What the hell happened to you? You look like the ghost of Christmas past. Did something explode over there?” I study my roommate, who’s covered in flour from head to toe. “Don’t tell me the pumpkin pie is all over the kitchen. I’ll eat that stuff straight off the floor and cabinets if I have to!”

“Alex!” Gabby puts a hand on her hip. “You’re being ridiculous.”

“I’m not. Have you tried Michelle’s pumpkin pie? I’m telling you right now, if something happened to it, I’ll bring over a can of whipped cream and eat it wherever it splattered on the walls.”

“Nothing exploded.” Carters rolls his eyes. “All the desserts are safe. I need to take a quick shower.” He heads to his bedroom without another word.

“Weird.” Gabby looks at me. “What do you think that was all about?”

“Beats the hell out of me.” I shrug. “One minute those two are best friends and the next there’s some crazy tension going on between them.”

“Hmm.” She walks over to me and places her arms around my neck. “Sounds kind of like how we were.”

“Nope.” I lean down and kiss her on the head. “The difference between you and me and Carter and Michelle is that I was always clear about my feelings for you. Carter has his head up his ass, and I don’t know what’s going on with Peanut.”

“I don’t either.” She frowns. “I’ve tried talking to her, but she’s pretty tight-lipped when it comes to her love life. Between you and me, I don’t think she’s ever had a boyfriend.”

“Everybody decent?” Aly cracks open our door to call in.

“Come on in, Legs.”

“Will you stop calling her that?” Jax appears behind Aly like a dark shadow.

“Why? I’ve been calling her Legs since the day we met.”

“Yeah, but we’re married now. It sounds weird.”

“I don’t mind it at all.” Aly walks toward the kitchen and looks through the oven window at the turkey. “It’s looking good!”

“Will you step away from the oven?” Jax huffs. “You’re too close.”

“Gabby, will you please tell my husband that I’m perfectly safe staying on the outside of the oven?”

“Umm…yeah. She’s fine, Jax.” Gabby covers her mouth to hide a smirk.

“I just don’t want her to get overheated,” Jax tries to reason.

“He’s been driving me nuts all morning. He insisted that he help with the cooking.”

“That doesn’t sound so bad. I helped Gabby with the turkey.” I try to back up Jax.

“You were making the turkey dance while I was adding the seasoning,” Gabby deadpans.

“Where there’s fun, there’s flavor.” I earn a collective eye roll from everyone.

“Jax wouldn’t let me touch any sharp objects.” Aly shoots daggers over at her husband.

“They were getting too close to your belly.”

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