Page 121 of Dancing in the Rain

She also felt lonely, so when Drew insisted she be part of the festivities, she didn’t argue with him. Then she’d offered to cook, but somehow Drew understood that this Thanksgiving had to be different or she and Chloe were going to totally lose it.

“We can go shopping,” he continued. “Tomorrow morning. I’ll pick you up and we can get a turkey and all the things we’ll need.”

Her heart bumped and she nodded. This felt so…family-like. So couple-like. It was weird, and yet it felt right. “Okay.” She hesitated. “Um, I need to tell you something.”

“What is it?”

“Chloe saw us kissing on Saturday. When you were leaving.”

“Oh.”

“She asked me if you were my boyfriend.”

He stared at her blankly. “Uh, what did you say?”

“I said we like each other, but you’re not my boyfriend.”

His eyebrows snapped together over his nose.

“So it’s probably better if we don’t, uh, you know, be too demonstrative in front of her.”

He swallowed, his jaw clamped tight. “Sure. Right.”

They spent the next morning driving from store to store, picking out a fresh turkey while making jokes about Drew’s preference for breasts and thighs, loading up tons of produce, buying bottles of wine, and making a last stop at a bakery to pick up pies. They argued over pumpkin versus apple, debated a compromise on a pecan pie, and ended up buying all three.

“We don’t need three pies!” She shook her head.

“Are you kidding me?” Drew muttered. “I can eat a whole pie myself.”

She laughed and elbowed his ribs. “Good thing you’ve been working out.”

She was both curious and nervous to meet Drew’s parents. As she and Chloe waited for him to pick them up Thanksgiving morning, she asked Chloe, “Are you excited to meet your grandparents?”

“I guess so.”

“That doesn’t sound excited.”

Chloe studied her polka-dotted socks. “What if they don’t like me?”

“They’ll love you, Chloe. How could they not? You’re smart and beautiful with a huge heart.”

“I don’t even know them.”

Peyton got it. “I know. But you will.”

“I’m glad you’re coming, too.”

Peyton smiled. “We both miss your mom, but we’re together and this is going to be fun.”

She had no idea if that was true or not, but whatever.

Drew arrived with a big hug for Chloe and a private smile for Peyton that made her insides flutter. It felt like sneaking around, but Peyton knew it was for the best. Things didn’t need to be more complicated than they already were.

At his place, he led them to the kitchen and family room, where his mom was already bustling around, preparing food. “Mom, this is Chloe. Chloe, my mom.”

Peyton hung back as Mrs. Sellers gazed at Chloe, blinked, and clasped her hands in front of her. “Chloe,” she murmured. “Hi.”

“Hi.” Chloe shifted from one foot to the other. “Um, what should I call you?”

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