Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 68369 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68369 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
For the first time in my sorry life, the tables were turned, and I was the one itching for more.
I’d almost asked Doc for help to sort out my feelings last week. Because what the fuck did I know about love? I’d never felt anything remotely like this before. I was ready to move Alex in to Leighton’s room, to make that hers, and have him in my bed every night. As it was, we snuck around here and there while she was asleep. I fucking hated sleeping without him. Lunch was another meal I preferred to share with him, but I held back most of the time so he could sit with his friends and whatever. We had dinner. Dinner was ours, with Alex. Dinner had become sacred.
I side-eyed him as he peered out the window.
This was what I got for dating someone I worked with after swearing up and down to never date a coworker.
I wasn’t supposed to date anyone.
And now I was fucked.
It wasn’t my first Thanksgiving with the Paynes, and it wouldn’t be my last. Surrounded by fields and a smaller forest, their farm shone like a beacon, promising good food, beer on the porch, and countless dogs.
They knew how to take care of fellow operators. The Tenleys were here, though that had more to do with history than loneliness. They were family. Mathis had flown down from Boston, so it was nice to see him again. He’d quit the game years ago, but he stayed in touch. Wilde was here too, having just rotated back home after her first major op.
“Well, thank fuck!” Danny exclaimed. “I was worrying we wouldn’t have dessert.”
“I picked the cake, Uncle Danny!” Alex cheered. “I got our favorite!”
“Attagirl—I can count on you.”
While Alex dragged Leighton over to Shay, Danny, and River in the living room, I aimed for the kitchen, where I spotted Reese, Em, and none other than Kyle. At the risk of wounding Hyatt’s ego, Kyle Finlay was the best pilot I’d ever flown with. He’d saved my ass in Mogadishu when I hadn’t been able to leave without Vince’s body.
“Or you could tell your brother,” Reese was saying as I put the cake down on the packed counter. Everyone had brought something.
“Yeah, that’d be hysterical,” Kyle drawled. He nodded at me. “Hey, man. Good to see you.”
“I was about to say.” I shook his hand firmly. “It’s been a while. You still taking gigs at Hillcroft?”
He hadn’t been with us long, and he wasn’t a trained operator. Instead, he was a retired skid pilot with the Marines who was struggling to let go of the job.
He shrugged. “Here and there. I just flew Operator Wilde and her team outta Damascus.”
“Speaking of, lads,” Em said, opening the oven, “we’re not supposed to talk shop.”
Reese and I exchanged a smirk. We’d heard that before, but give the man a beer, and he’d be the one bringing up the glory days.
An hour or so later, the dining room table filled up with food and starving operators. Alex never missed a chance to sit with Danny, so I ended up between Reese and Leighton, giving me the great opportunity to introduce my boy to the Tenley cold-cut platter they brought every year. It was from some swanky restaurant on K Street and had thinly sliced roast beef, pastrami, prosciutto, grilled chicken, ham, and mortadella. And it came with toppings too, like horseradish dip, remoulade, and aioli.
It wasn’t the most traditional Thanksgiving table, but it was my favorite. Mathis had brought wings and a casserole. Wilde had made three kinds of potato dishes. Em always did the turkey and deviled eggs, with Danny picking up appetizers, and—
“Can you two quit hoggin’ the horseradish dip?” Danny demanded.
“Get your own,” Reese said with his mouth full.
I pointed to Reese. What he said.
“You gotta try this, pup.” I smeared some of the dip on a slice of ham and handed it to Leighton.
He smiled and tried it.
He hadn’t said much yet, but I had a feeling it had to do with his family. Every time he talked to any of them, he grew introspective to process everything new in his life.
“Damn, that’s good,” he said. “Did you try the stuffed potato skins Kyle brought?”
I nodded and chewed around a mouthful of roast beef and remoulade. “His mom made ’em. Fuckin’ delicious.”
“Can anyone say something they’re thankful for?” Em suggested.
Danny blew him a kiss. “I’m thankful for you, honey.”
“I’m thankful for these wings.” Kyle was going to town on them, and it made me want a few too.
I nudged Leighton, and he grabbed us some.
“I’m thankful for Emerson’s patience and you hosting this dinner,” Shay offered.
Well, damn. He was all serious and shit.
Reese furrowed his brow. “Why’re you kissin’ ass, baby?”
“I’m being nice,” Shay laughed. “What the fuck?”