Page 92 of Chasing Stars
Aunt Leona glides around the kitchen, Jake excuses himself, and I settle in with my pancakes, soaking it all in. The Christmas tree twinkles, the music creates a soft ambiance, and Aunt Leona places a mimosa in front of me. There’s nothing to complain about except… I miss Miles. I miss him with the same familiar ache I feel when I think of my parents. The only difference is, he is still here.What the hell am I waiting for?I scold myself.
“Jenna, are you okay?” Aunt Leona interrupts my thoughts. “I’m ready when you are.”
“Yes,” I say definitively. I carry my plate to the dishwasher. “Just tell me what to do.”
Aunt Leonaand I cook up a storm for the next two hours. The turkey is making the entire condo smell heavenly, and we have enough side dishes to feed a small army. I absolutely love every second of it. The last few years with my mom, she wasn’t strong enough to cook or eat a big meal. I sat with her every Thanksgiving and ate rotisserie chicken and Bob Evans mashed potatoes on a snack tray. This feels special. I must look teary-eyed because Aunt Leona catches me by surprise by wrapping me in a hug.
“I know this isn’t easy for you, but I’msoglad you’re here,” she whispers in my ear, stroking my hair.
“Me too.” I pull back and examine her face, brimming with emotion.
“I always wondered about you,” Aunt Leona says, cupping my cheek. She’s looking at me with the same adoration my mom did.
“So did I,” I say softly. “Especially once my mom got sick.” I chew on my lip to fight the rising lump in my throat.
Our tender moment is interrupted by Jake and three ladies in their sixties, talking animatedly as they come through the front door. I’m not prepared for guests at all, still wearing my yoga pants and hoodie from my morning walk. We got so busy cooking, I didn’t bother to fix myself up, but it doesn’t matter. Everyone is excited to meet me, and I have never felt more welcome.
We’re sitting around the table, eating a feast fit for the royal family when there’s a knock at the door. “I’ll get it,” I offer. My seat is the closest to the front door. Jake and Aunt Leona exchange a look that I can’t read.
I wipe my mouth on the cloth dinner napkin, push my crazy hair behind my ears, and walk to the door. The knocking hasn’t stopped; whoever is behind the door really wants to come in. I swing it open and there he is. Miles. His face is drawn, lines of exhaustion carved deep around his eyes, but he is still irresistibly sexy.
He licks his lips. “Jenna,” he rasps.
“Miles, hi.” I bite back a smile. The truth of the matter is, if he hadn’t shown up, I might have gone to his parents’ house. I have been pushing thoughts of him aside all day, but I can’t escape the longing I feel for him.
“Happy Thanksgiving,” he croaks.
“You too.” I tug my hoodie down and fluff my hair. Now I wish I took the time to put makeup on. Silence hangs in the air as we hold each other’s gaze, neither of us sure what to do next. I finally find my voice and clear my throat. “Do you want to come in?”
Miles drops his gaze, then slowly drags it back up, drawing his eyes up the length of my body. Heat rises up my neck. He looks gorgeous in a nice pair of blue jeans and a button-down with a sport coat over it. He shakes his head. “No. I came here to tell you, I’m thankful for you. And I’d like it if you would come somewhere with me. I have something to show you.”
I glance behind me—Jake, Aunt Leona, and our three guests, Barb, Phyllis, and Deb, are all watching with great interest. When I catch them, they all turn away and start yammering at once. “Oh, I don’t know… We’re in the middle of dinner,” I say hesitantly.
“Go on, dear!” Aunt Leona calls. “We’ll save you some pie.”
Miles bites back a grin. “They’ll save you some pie,” he murmurs, holding his hand out to me.
“Okay.” I sigh. “As long as I don’t miss out on pie.”
Miles looks at me the way he did the night he told me he loved me, and my stomach is doing backflips. He licks his lips again. “Okay, ready?”
Suddenly, I’m extremely self-conscious about the outfit I’m wearing, the state of my hair, my breath. “Should I change?” I wince.
Miles smiles again, letting out a nervous breath and shaking his head. “No. It’s just us and…I think you look beautiful.” He swallows audibly.
My face warms and my eyes water, but I blink away the tears before he sees. “Okay, let me get my coat.”
I step away from Miles and walk quickly to my bedroom, grabbing my coat from the back of the door. I spritz some perfume, put on some deodorant, and a peachy lip balm. I fluff my hair and slip into my Uggs.
I say my goodbyes to the ladies and Jake, and then Miles and I are in his car, driving slowly, like we’re on a Sunday drive. We’re quiet at first. Miles seems pensive, nervous even, and I’m looking out the window.
“Where are we going?” I ask, glancing sideways at him.
“We’re going to the beach.” Miles doesn’t take his eyes off the road.
“Okay,” I say, because it’s the only thing I can think of.Of course we’re going to the beach.
Five minutes later, we’re at the empty parking lot ofourbeach. The waves are calm, the sun is just starting to sink lower into the horizon. Miles doesn’t immediately get out of the car.
