Page 132 of The Problem with Dating

We headed up the front steps, and the moment we reached the door, a woman swung the door open and burst into cheers. “Happy Thanksgiving!”

“Willow! I thought you were still running around with some oddity called Snake,” Tatiana remarked. Willow. Yara’s younger sister.

“Came back late last night.” Willow moved her long golden-brown hair to the side and revealed her neck to show a tattoo. “I got a few snake bite tattoos, though.”

“Willow Kingsley!” Tatiana remarked. “Are you kidding?!”

Willow laughed, and it sounded just like Yara’s. Infectious. “It’s a temporary tattoo, but I figured I’d give Daddy a heart attack for fun.”

“You are such a fool,” Tatiana said, shaking her head. “But I would enjoy seeing Matthew freak out.”

“Did you hear the news?” Willow asked her. “He’s deep-frying the turkey this year.”

Tatiana’s eyes flew open, and she darted into the house. “Matthew Samuel Kingsley, don’t you dare!”

I snickered a little at Tatiana running into the house. It would be an interesting afternoon. I was looking forward to it. If it wasn’t for the invite from Yara, I was almost certain I’d be sitting at home in a mood from being alone for the first time on Thanksgiving. It was one of Teresa’s favorite holidays. It was nice to get out to celebrate it because it forced me not to overthink everything.

Willow smiled at me and placed her hands on her hips. “So you must be the guy.”

“The guy?”

“The one who has my sister acting all giddy and giggly.”

I couldn’t help but grin at the idea that I made Yara giddy.

Willow pointed at me. “Yup. She has that exact goofy grin. I’m Willow. Nice to meet you,” she said, taking a dish from my hand and carrying it in. “And who’s the cutie hanging out by your feet?”

“Oh, this is my buddy, Feliz.”

“Well, hello, Happy,” Willow said, kneeling. “Aren’t you just a sweetheart?”

Feliz wagged his tail as if he were meeting his soulmate. I wished I had gotten that warm meeting when we first met.

Willow then stood and released a soft sigh. “Oh,” she whispered. “He likes you,” she stated, speaking of Feliz. “He feels safe with you.”

“The feeling is mutual.”

“Now, when do I get to tell you embarrassing stories about Yara?”

“Never,” a voice said, slicing through the atmosphere. Yara darted from around the corner, and her lips turned up when she met my stare. “Hey, you.”

“Hey, you,” I replied.

We stood there for a moment, staring at each other with the goofy grins that Willow was probably talking about. I couldn’t help it, though. Whenever I saw her, I felt like a damn kid again.

“Okay, weirdos, let me take these from Alex. Drop Feliz’s leash, will you? Then you two can be awkward together alone,” Willow mentioned. I handed her the other dish and dropped Feliz, who was quick to follow her.

I brushed my hand against my neck. “Happy Thanksgiving, Goldie.”

“Happy Thanksgiving, Mr. Black.”

She hugged me tightly and then pulled back. “Are you ready for the Kingsley madness of the holiday?”

“Uh, I think?”

“Good. Because we’re starting the first game of Scrabble in the living room. Please don’t be offended when I beat you time and time again.”

I smirked and rolled up my sleeves. “Game on.”

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