Page 40 of Falling for the Forward

“That was a nice six-hour trip listening to Dad rant nonstop,” Nate says wryly.

“Can you blame him?” Sean gives me a questioning look. “That was a pretty huge bombshell for a text.”

Carter slides his arm around my waist, pulling me closer. “It’s my fault we didn’t handle things better. I’ll do my best to make it up to all of you.”

“I’ll never not see Suki as my kid sister,” Sean says. “It’s hard to imagine her as someone’s wife.”

“She’s amazing.” Carter gives me a loving gaze so convincing it makes my heart pound. “She’s the most nurturing, funny, kindhearted woman I’ve ever known.”

“I already like you better than her last boyfriend,” Sean says. “Fancy job or not, he was a jackass.”

“No shit,” Sean agrees. He looks over at Hallie. “Sorry.”

“They’re used to it,” Carter says. “What can I get you guys to drink?”

I return to the kitchen to help Harry with the cooking, trying to keep an eye on things in the family room. My parents are talking to the girls and Carter is sticking close to my brothers.

“Mara’s going to be so bummed she missed this one,” Harry says lightly, passing me a glass of wine he just poured me.

I sigh wearily. “Isn’t it funny how your parents can take you from feeling like a fully functioning adult to feeling like a kid who needs to go stand in the corner?”

“We’ll look back and laugh at this one day,” he assures me.

Carter’s teammate Bash arrives next, lightening the mood since he’s unaware of the tension. Our housekeeper Andrea and her son Drew also arrive. They don’t have any family here, so I invited them to spend the day with us.

By the time we get the meal on the table, I’m optimistic that my dad’s bad mood has passed. Carter takes my hand beneath the table, probably hoping my family will see him being affectionate.

He releases it quickly, though, standing up with his water goblet in hand.

“Hey guys, just a quick toast.” Everyone quiets and looks at him. “We’re so glad all of you could be here with us today. Thank you to Harry and my beautiful wife for preparing this meal, it looks incredible.” He meets my gaze, my heart still fluttering from thebeautiful wifething. “Suki, anyone who’s lucky enough to be around you is better for it. I’ll keep spending every day trying to make you half as happy as you make me.”

Glasses clink, but my glass just stays frozen in the air as Carter sits down, still looking at me. He leans over and gives me a quick kiss, leaving me even more dazed.

This whole fake relationship thing is playing with my head. I remind myself I’m only Carter’s “beautiful wife” to help him get custody of the girls.

“So Carter, how many times have you been married?” my dad asks, his tone less than friendly.

“Just this time.”

“Did you get my daughter pregnant?”

“Dad!” I snap, mortified.

“Mrs. Brennan, your olive dip is absolutely divine,” Harry says smoothly. “I’d love to get the recipe from you.”

Carter puts a hand on my knee beneath the table, silently reassuring me. I knew this day wouldn’t be perfect, but I thoughtmy dad had more tact than this. Asking if I’m pregnant at the Thanksgiving table? My mom is going to give him hell later.

“Want some turkey, Darling?” Charlotte leans over to haul the twenty-five-plus pound pig onto her lap.

Carter frowns. “Hey, Char, I don’t--”

Darling gets his front two feet onto the table, scrambling out of Charlotte’s hold. It feels like I’m in slow motion as I lunge at him. He tramples my beautiful floral centerpieces on his way down the dining table, knocking over water goblets and stepping in the gravy.

He’s going for the giant bowl of garlic mashed potatoes at the end of the table, and when he gets there, he dives in with his whole face, snorting as he inhales the food.

Everyone scoots their chairs back from the table, watching Darling in stunned silence. I exchange a horrified look with Harry.

Carter goes to that end of the table and wraps his arms around Darling’s midsection, picking him up and carrying him away. Darling looks back at all of us, his snout covered with mashed potatoes. It almost looks like he’s smiling.

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