Page 149 of Still Bruised
Foster’s mother appeared behind him. “I told you that you didn’t have to lift a finger, Jude, and I meant it. You relax for now. We’re almost ready.” She tapped Foster on the arm. “Can you help me carry out the last of the sides?”
“Sure thing,” Foster said.
“I just laid the turkey plate on the table,” his mother said to his father. “And I counted every last slice. Don’t you dare steal any more before we sit down.”
“I know not what you speak of, woman,” his father joyfully proclaimed, one finger pointed to the heavens.
Foster chuckled, his gaze drifting to Jude. “I hope you’re ready for this all night.”
“Bring it on,” Jude replied.
Foster nearly tripped on his way out of the living room, his face on fire.
“Are you okay?” his mother asked when he made it to the kitchen.
“I’m fine,” he mumbled, snatching a hot casserole dish without oven mitts and singeing his fingertip. He yelped before sticking his forefinger into his mouth. “I’llbefine.”
His mother chuckled, an odd look on her face.
“Why did you invite Jude?”
Her smile faded. “When I asked him what he was doing and he said eating Chinese food alone, there was no way I was letting that happen. He lost his father the year before last—and honestly, he’d probably lost him a couple of years before that with the Alzheimer’s.” She stood up a bit straighter. “Is there a problem with me inviting him?”
Foster shook his head. “No. I’m glad you did.” He snatched a set of oven mitts. “He shouldn’t have been alone tonight.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
Foster took the last few dishes to the table before he ambled into the living room. “Dinner’s served.”
Before Foster could walk over to help give his father a steadying arm, Jude beat him to it. He watched the pair walk into the dining room like they were already old friends.
Foster faced forty minutes trying not to look like an absolute, love-struck ass in front of his parentsandJude.
He wasn’t sure how well he was going to succeed.
Jude sat across from Foster,stunned at how handsome he was. It wasn’t like he didn’t know Foster was a fine ass man, but for some reason, he looked even better than Jude remembered. Maybe that whole absence making the heart grow fonder bit was actually true. They hadn’t seen one another in nearly a month. It sure as hell felt longer than that.
He’d missed Foster.
That was only compounded by seeing him again.
Especially when he had to keep his hands to himself all night.
After they said grace but before they loaded up their plates, Foster’s mom announced, “Let’s all say one thing we’re thankful for this year. George, why don’t you start?”
Foster’s dad cleared his throat. “I’m thankful that our Foster is back home and starting a new chapter of his life. We’ve missed having him around, and I’m looking forward to seeing where he goes from here.”
“Here-here,”Foster’s mom said. “Me? I’m grateful for that, as well, but since I knew my husband was going to say it first, I’llsay how grateful I am that we can all be here tonight and share this wonderful meal together.”
“I thought you were going to be thankful Jessica wasn’t here tonight?” Foster said to her, grinning.
“I was only joking about that,” she whispered to Foster. “You’re going to make me sound like a terrible, rude person.”
She leaned toward Jude. “I would have been nicer and said I was grateful my darling niece’s new relationship is still going strong. Strong enough that a new family can enjoy her company this year. I hope they continue to enjoy her for many,manyyears to come.”
“Ah,”Jude said, grinning.
“Well, your turn, Jude,” Mrs. Price said. “What areyougrateful for?”
