Page 69 of Lucky in Love
“I don’t know. This seems like next-level stuff.” Doubt laced her words.
“The actual cooking or the hosting as a couple?”
“Both.”
“Huh,” he said, deciding on a new track. “It doesn’t seem like you to back away from a challenge…” There, that should bait the hook nicely.
She side-eyed him. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing.”
“I mean, if it’s too hard for you…”
“Fine,” she snapped. “Let’s do it.”
“Too easy,” he whispered to himself before glancing over and smiling. “It’ll be great. My mom will love it here.”
“You may have goaded me into this, but don’t get your hopes up. I’ve never hosted a Thanksgiving dinner. And I’m not known for my culinary skills.”
“I’ll help,” he said quickly, not wanting her to change her mind. “Together we can do it.”
They met Juliet on the walkway to Faith’s. She was carrying three pizza boxes, and Brody rushed to help her.
As soon as they crossed the threshold, Tess pulled Alex into a corner and began whispering furiously. Brody assumed she was asking all the questions she’d wanted to over the radio, but couldn’t because he was there.
Alex returned to his side, and Tess beelined to Faith and Juliet, who were in the kitchen.
“Word out about us real-dating?” he asked with a smile, grabbing her hand. “I’m surprised you didn’t already talk to them today.”
“Yes. It’s official.” Alex rolled her eyes. “Tess said she had to ‘have eyes on my face’ to ask her questions. She swears she can tell when I’m lying or hiding stuff.”
Before he could ask for details on why or what she might lie about, Nick approached.
“Hey, man, congrats.” Nick slapped Brody on the back. “Welcome—officially—to our gang.”
They had some time before Maddie’s show started, so they poured drinks, ate pizza, and rehashed the Armageddon experience.
Trees had fallen, a road had washed out, and multiple power lines had snapped in the cold.
Juliet had been boarding five dogs and brought them all into her tiny house, afraid they’d freeze in the barn.
Tess had come to stay with Faith and Nick because they had a fireplace.
“I want the scoop on howthishappened?” Tess waved a piece of pizza between Brody and Alex.
“I just walked right in and asked her out,” Brody said.
“And then stayed for three days,” Alex added.
“How’d you not end up in a tent on the porch, Brody?” Tess asked.
He looked at Alex, who laughed and shrugged. “I told you. Most people annoy me.”
“Well, thank you for not casting me out,” he said to Alex and then to Tess, “Ididwarn her about my irresistibility.”
“Hey, what’s everyone doing for Thanksgiving?” Juliet asked. “Maddie will be home. You and Pops coming over, Alex?”
“Actually.” Alex cleared her throat. “I’m gonna cook for Pops, Brody, and Brody’s mom.”
All eyes snapped to her.
