Page 24 of Everlasting Love

“I’m fine, still a little dizzy from the virus. Thanks for catching me.” I try to pull out of his grip, but he holds me tighter and guides me inside. He walks through the quiet home with familiarity, guiding me to the back where it seems Kate and Oliver have everything set up for our Thanksgiving dinner. “Here, let me have your coat, and you can take a seat. Can I get you a glass of water? Anything?”

I look up into his concerned face and smile. The backs of my eyes sting and that tell-tale tingle is forming in my nose.Do not cry. Just because a man is showing you care and concern does not mean you can break down and sob like a baby. I drop my gaze from his. “Thanks. I’m okay. I … uh … need to keep an eye on Jas. I’ll be fine. Promise.”

“No problem. I can keep an eye on Jasmine for you. It’s not like I need to do anything for Toby in this setting so I basically have nothing to do.” My heart expands to double its size with his offer. Allen never once offered to look after Jas if I was unwell but Shane didn’t hesitate. Not even for a second. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Huh? Like what?”Shit. How was I looking at him?

“Like I was speaking a foreign language or something.”

I chuckle awkwardly. “Sorry. I was just thinking.” I need to change the subject before he asks what I was thinking about. He doesn’t need to know what a loser I’m married to. “Are Hope and Evan coming today?” That’s good Violet. You’ve finally remembered the man is happily taken. He looks atme completely puzzled. Maybe he’s forgotten that I’ve met his partner and her son. “You know, I met them on Veteran’s Day.” I raise my eyebrows.

“I know who you’re talking about but why would you ask if they’re coming today?”

“I figured your girlfriend and her son would be here since it’s a family day.”

He stands to his full height and takes a step away from me. He holds his body rigid and that tic returns to his jaw in full force. “She’s not my girlfriend. She’s the wife of a friend.” He spins on his heel and stalks away from me leaving my head spinning. I admire the play of muscles across his back through his waistcoat as he tucks his hands in his pockets while moving farther away from me.Damn.

“Mommy, wook what Kate gived me.” Jas bolts toward me holding a book above her head. She holds it in front of my face, too close for me to be able to see what it is. I take it from her as Kate comes up to us, chuckling.

“I hope you don’t mind. I love to give the kids from the shelter I volunteer with gratitude journals for Thanksgiving. It’s kinda become a tradition. I didn’t want to leave Jasmine out of the fun but I know she’s a little too young to write what she’s grateful for. I hope she likes to color.”

Can this family be any kinder or more inclusive? First, they invited us all to Thanksgiving dinner and now they’ve included Jasmine in their gift-giving traditions. I look up into her kind eyes with gratitude. “Thank you so much, Kate. She loves to color”—I look down at the book and smile—“and she loves flowers, so this is perfect.”

“Toby gave me a couple of hints.” She winks.

“Thank you.” I slide my hand down Jasmine’s hair, careful not to displace her ribbon. “Did you say thank you, baby girl?”

She nods enthusiastically. “I did, Mommy.”

“She did. She has such beautiful manners. Her and Poppy.” Kate taps Jasmine’s nose.

“Can I go pway with the kids, Mommy?”

“Of course. Go make some new friends with Poppy.” She races off to join the other kids.

“She’s such a sweet girl.” Kate smiles as we watch my daughter run to the opposite side of the room.

“Thanks. I think I’ll keep her for a while.” We both chuckle.

“Anyway, I must keep moving. Help yourself to the special punch.” She raises her eyebrows when she saysspecial punchand I decide to make it my mission to taste test the punch since I’m not feeling dizzy anymore.

I grab two glasses of special punch and take one to Cassia. I hand it to her and then clink my glass against hers. “Cheers, Sis.”

“What are we toasting?” She takes a sip of her drink and her eyebrows shoot up. “Mmm, this is delicious.”

I knock her shoulder with mine. “Celebrating your first Thanksgiving with your new in-laws, of course.”

She chuckles. “You don’t know that for sure. I think you’re getting ahead of yourself.”

“Oh, but I do.” I hold my glass out and sweep around the room. “This is your future, Cass. How does it feel?”

She flushes pink. “If this truly is our future, it feels pretty darn great.”

I give my sister a side hug. “I’m so damn happy for you, Cass. And for Poppy, too. They love her like they’ve known her since she was a baby.”

“I know.” She lifts her chin toward the kids. “They’ve taken Jas in, too.”

My heart swells watching Kate’s parents fussing over both of our girls. Our family is so small and insular, so this is a fantastic treat for them.

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