We Never Kissed

Chapter 39

Alex

Ava slid onto my lap and wrapped her arms around my neck just as Sammy and Sue walked into the dining room, each carrying a tray of food.

“Aw, come on,” Sammy groaned. “Can we have some more acclimation before we have to see that?”

“We weren’t even doing anything,” Ava said, then lifted a brow. “Yet.”

They set the trays on the table as Sue said, “I think it’s lovely…and it makes me happy.” She turned and ran a hand over our heads like we were her sweet, innocent children.

“Wow, guess we know who your favorite child is,” Sammy said with an edge in his tone .

“Oh, stop.” Sue waved a hand at Sammy. “I’m just so grateful we’re all together for the holiday. It’s going to be the best Thanksgiving.” She moved around the table, closer to Sammy, and nudged his shoulder. “Now go grab the rest of those plates.”

“Hey, why don’t they have to help?” Sammy glared at us, and I grinned back, loving the pouty expression, even if he was milking it.

“I do believe you were still asleep when Ava and me were chopping up a storm this morning,” I said.

Ava stood and gave her best “Yea-ahh!” with a hand on her hip.

I had to admit, this whole scene felt right, comfortable, warming something inside me I’d kept somewhat guarded over the years. And it was a welcome distraction for my nerves. Then the doorbell rang, and we all froze and went wide-eyed.

Sue patted her hair like her prom date had just arrived. “Oh, goodness, that’s her.”

I stood, and Ava shot me a sweet grin as she slipped her hand in mine. “You all right?”

I nodded but then my head flooded with thoughts as I looked at each of their faces, trying to get my feet to move. There was no turning back after today. I reminded myself I wasn’t losing a family, just making room for one more.

I must have been in my head too long because Sue said, “I’ve got it” and then patted my shoulder as she walked by me.

“Wait!” My abrupt tone stopped her in her tracks, and she turned back to me.

“What is it, dear?”

I slipped away from Ava’s and went to Sue’s side. “I just want to say… Well, you’ve been…” I shook my head. “No matter what…”

A giant smile formed on her face. “I know, honey. I love you too… Even if you are doing the nasty between the sheets with my baby girl.”

My eyes widened, and everyone else gasped.

Sue shrugged. “What? I was trying to lighten the mood.”

The doorbell rang again, and Denny appeared then from the hallway. “No one’s getting that?”

“I’m going,” Sue said, walking toward the door.

I knew I was being ridiculous. It wasn’t like I was going to hide from her all afternoon. I turned my gaze on Denny, and he gave me a single nod, saying, “You’ve got this, Son.”

I returned the nod, then took off in Sue’s wake. She already had the door open when I rounded the corner, and I watched as the two women exchanged a hug, my mother’s eyes connecting with mine over Sue’s shoulder.

I grinned and moved up to them. “Hi…” Leaning in, I ga ve her an awkward hug. I didn’t know why I couldn’t bring myself to say “Mom.” I’d said it before, but in front of Sue it would take a minute.

“Thank you both for having me,” my mother said quietly when I pulled back.

“Of course, Maggie. You’re always welcome here,” Sue said.

It was then I noticed she was holding a bag at her side. “I brought a few things,” she said, lifting it.

“Wonderful. Why don’t we take it to the kitchen?”

Sue led the way, followed by my mother and then me. In the doorway of the kitchen, Sue turned and said, “Alex, can you and Sammy grab the extra chairs from the garage? Denny forgot.” She gave me a half grin, and I breathed a sigh of relief, offering my own smile of gratitude for the break.

“Sure…”

When I hesitated, she added, “We’ll be just fine.”

For some reason, I looked to my mother then, feeling an unexpected sense of obligation to make sure she was comfortable.

She grinned and nodded her approval, then said to Sue, “I’d love to help with whatever you need.”

Sammy and I quickly gathered the chairs and placed them at the table. We could hear all four women in the kitchen, talking and laughing as if they’d all been doing it for years.

“You know this means we’re outnumbered, bro,” Sammy said with a head gesture toward the kitchen.

I barked out a chuckle. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

“I’m married. I always think of that.” His smile faded as he stepped closer. “Hey…I know I’ve been giving you a lot of shit lately.”

I cocked my head to the side. “Payback’s a bitch, right?”

“Yeah, you deserve it, but”—he gripped my shoulder, hard—“I’m ready to let it all go, as long as…”

“What?”

“I know the days of us making life hard for Ava’s boyfriends is over, but I’ll come out of retirement if I have to.”

I let out a hearty laugh and deliberately removed his hand. “That won’t be necessary, man. You know that, right? Shit, I hope you do.” I released an unsteady breath, but I was ready to put it out there for him. “This is it for me, Sammy. She’s it for me.” I held his gaze.

“I know.” He nodded. “I just wanted to hear you say it.”

For a second, I felt for all the poor schmucks we’d tortured in the past, but then I grinned and said, “I’m starving. ”

We both laughed and headed into the kitchen to join the women. Cass and Dax had come in from the backyard and the whole scene—everyone snacking and chatting, smiles all around, felt so perfect.

Denny eventually came out to join us, just as we all finally gathered around the table. I sat between Ava and my mother, with Sue across from me, not an ounce of uncertainty in her sweet smile. Denny said a quick prayer, and once we all had our plates filled, we went around the table as we ate, sharing all the blessings we were thankful for. When it came to my turn, I had no shortage of things to say. In that moment, I felt the most blessed I’d ever been in my whole life.