Page 7 of The Ruse

I followedCambrielle downstairs and into her family’s formal dining room. The room was gorgeous—like what you’d find on the cover of an interior design magazine. Tall windows lined the far wall, the luxurious curtains opened to reveal the back terrace. The large table that everyone was seated at had been decorated to perfection for the holiday. Orange, yellow, and red leafy garlands ran down the center and antique candelabras added to the elegant ambiance.

Cambrielle slid into the chair next to Mack whom she’d recently started dating. The seat on the other side of her was full, and there were none available beside Ava and my mom.

I bit my lip as I glanced around the table full of people, wondering where I was supposed to sit.

Please don’t let the only open seat be next to Asher.

My heart pounded as I looked at everywhere but the new boy I was now afraid of. I was about to force my gaze toward Asher, figuring I wasn’t seeing the empty seat because I was avoiding looking his way, when a movement in my periphery brought my attention to Nash. He was across from Asher, and when I looked more closely, I was surprised to see that there was an empty high-backed chair to his left that I’d somehow missed.

“You’re right here, Elyse,” Nash called when our gazes met. And when he patted the padded chair, a whoosh of relief flooded me.

I smiled and took my seat, thankful that I didn’t have to sit next to Asher.

“Thank you all for joining us,” Mr. Hastings said from his spot at the head of the table. “It’s so great to have all of you here to celebrate with us today. And if you’re ready to get this meal started, I’d love to make a toast.”

We all grabbed our glasses—the adults with their wine while the teens had sparkling cider.

“I know this year has been full of its challenges,” Mr. Hastings started his toast. “We’ve been through a lot together. We’ve rekindled some friendships—” He glanced at my mom. “—met new friends and family—” He looked at Ava and me briefly. “—and suffered a loss that will change us forever.” He nodded at Brendon and Mack who had just lost their wife and mom to a brain tumor less than two weeks ago.

He continued, “It’s been a year of change and unexpected curveballs. But even though so many things look different today than they did a year ago, one thing remains: the love we have for each other. And so that’s what I want to focus on today. That’s what I’m the most grateful for this Thanksgiving. For all of you and the light each and every one of you brings to my life. May we all continue to be there for each other during the good times and the bad, and remember that no matter what comes our way, as long as we have each other, we can get through anything.”

He tipped his glass toward the center of the table, an indication for everyone to call out their “Cheers!” After everyone clinked glasses, we started passing the dishes around and loading our plates with the feast that had been provided for us.

“What were you and Cambrielle doing before you came down here?” Nash asked in a low voice after handing me the basket with dinner rolls. “I thought you were right behind me.”

“We were just talking,” I said, feeling my cheeks color because at that exact moment, Asher’s gaze turned toward me from across the table.

Could he hear Nash and me? Was he listening to find out if Cambrielle had told me about him?

“Yeah?” Nash asked, seemingly oblivious to the extra ears on us. “What about?”

“Um, just stuff,” I said, feeling my blush deepen because I couldn’t come up with anything better.

“Just stuff, huh.” Nash’s eyes sparked with intrigue. “Would that have anything to do with our plans for tomorrow night?”

Our plans for tomorrow night being the date he’d asked me out on.

Yes, after weeks of beating around the bush and making me wonder if he was ever going to ask me out, Nash had finally done it.

Sure, it was a triple date. A date where my twin sister and half-brother would be joining us with their significant others…who happened to be Nash’s siblings. But it was a “date” instead of a hang-out, so I was excited about it.

Though I technically hadn’t been talking with Cambrielle about the date, I decided to let Nash believe I had since it was better than having Asher know that I’d been gossiping about him.

I cleared my throat and set a roll on my plate. “I just asked Cambrielle what outfit she thought I should wear.”

“You did?” Nash asked, his gaze going down to the T-shirt I currently wore. “And did you decide?”

“Not yet.” I handed the basket of rolls to Brendon who sat on my other side. Then, slipping what I hoped looked like a coy smile on my lips, I whispered, “But even if I did, I wouldn’t want to spoil it for you since it’s a surprise.”

I was simply trying to evade a conversation that would be awkward to have in front of Asher, but the way Nash’s eyes lit up over the possibility of me wearing something special for our date made my stomach flutter. Because finally, after a year of liking all the wrong guys, I had a nice, good guy looking forward to spending quality time with me.

“Well, I can’t wait to see this surprise outfit of yours.” Nash dished some stuffing onto his plate. “Though, I’m sure you could wear a garbage bag and I’d still think you were beautiful.”

I was ninety-nine percent sure he hadn’t planned to say any of that based on the way his cheeks flushed an adorable shade of rosy pink right then. But I kind of loved that he had, since it told me the feelings I had for him might be mutual.

He cleared his throat. “Um, I guess I just said that out loud, didn’t I?”

“Yeah,” was all I could think to say before I blushed right back.

---