Page 44 of One Good Puck (Denver Bashers #5)

Gavin

“ A nything I can do to help?” Abby asks.

“I think we’re good. Just another twenty minutes or so until the turkey is warmed through and we can eat dinner.”

“You’re sure I can’t do anything?” She tucks her hair behind her ear. I noticed she curled it. It falls loose over her shoulders.

I shake my head. “You’ve done more than enough by making a backup gravy that saved us from eating the burned one.”

She chuckles. I glance at the reddish-brown dress she’s wearing. It’s long-sleeved and looks kind of like a long sweater, but it’s fitted to her body. And it’s a little low in the front, showing just the top of her chest.

“You look really pretty,” I say. “I’ve been wanting to tell you all day.”

Her lush lips curve up in a beautiful smile. “Thank you. This is my favorite dress to wear in the fall.”

“You look incredible in it,” I say .

“And you look very handsome.” She runs her gaze over me. I’m wearing brown chinos and a casual blue button-up.

I gesture down at the small spatter of butter on my shirt. “Even with the mess I made?”

She chuckles. “Oh, yeah.” She takes a step toward me. “But if it were only me and you here, I’d suggest that you just take off your shirt. And pants.”

She gives my arm a gentle squeeze and winks before walking off to help Bella with the coffee bar.

I swallow back a groan. I’m aching to kiss Abby after that naughty comment, but I can’t. We agreed only to be affectionate with each other in private.

For a second, I think about what it would be like to slink my arm around Abby and hold her close. To brush the hair from her face. To kiss her in front of everyone without caring who sees. To be something more than just friends who hook up.

To be able to call her my girlfriend.

My heart thuds in my chest just thinking about it. I’d give anything to be able to do that. If she were okay with it, I’d do it in a heartbeat.

But that’s couple behavior. And we’re not a couple. We’re just friends and housemates who are fooling around.

I try to ignore that off feeling in my gut at that reminder. Deep down, I know how I feel. Deep down, I know that what I feel for Abby isn’t just friendly anymore. It’s a lot more than that.

But that’s not what she wants. What she wants is hooking up, nothing more. And we’ve only been doing it for a few months. I’d probably send her into a panic if I told her I wanted her to be more than just friends…if I told her how much I cared about her …

But if, by some off-chance, Abby wanted to make things official between us, I’d say yes without hesitation.

I push the flurry of thoughts to the back of my brain and refocus.

Abby turns to me, and the look in her eyes is shy. “Hey, I made you a little something to say thank you for letting us join you for Thanksgiving. Can I give it to you later?”

“You didn’t have to get me anything. I’m always happy to have you and Emma.”

“I know. I just really wanted you to have this.”

I smile. “Okay. After dinner?”

“Sounds good.” She walks over to check on Emma while I finish with the turkey.

A half-hour later, we’re all sitting around the massive dining table. The kids are at a smaller table next to us.

“Before we dig in,” Xander says to the table, “I thought it would be nice if we all go around and say one thing we’re thankful for.” He grins at Sophie. “I’m thankful for you, gorgeous.” He turns to his mom. “And for you, Mom.”

His mom gazes at him adoringly. “I’m thankful for my amazing son and future-daughter-in-law.” She looks at me and raises her glass of wine. “You have an amazing daughter, Gavin.”

“I really do.” I smile and look at Sophie. “You’re what I’m thankful for, honey.” I turn to Abby, who’s sitting next to me. “And I’m thankful for you and Emma. Coming home to this big house by myself used to feel lonely. But you two make it feel more like home.”

Abby gives me a warm smile and softly squeezes my arm.

“I’m also thankful for Abby’s gravy,” Xander says. Blomdahl tosses his napkin in his face. Everyone bursts out laughing .

Emma hops up from her chair at the kids’ table. “Can I say what I’m thankful for?”

“Sure, honey,” Abby says.

She pulls out a folded-up piece of paper from the pocket of her jeans.

“Aww you wrote it down?” Dakota asks.

Emma nods. “At school, my teacher told us to write down all the things we’re thankful for for Thanksgiving and to tell our families.”

She takes a breath and looks at the paper. “I’m thankful for my awesome jersey.”

Everyone chuckles, even Ryker. “I’m thankful that I have the best mom ever.

” She smiles at Abby before looking back down at her list. “You’re the most fun, smart, nice, and beautiful mom in the whole world.

You take care of me when I’m sick. You make me the yummiest snacks.

You always play with me and braid my hair the way I like it.

You help me feel better when I have a nightmare, and you always kiss me and tell me that you love me. I love you a million times a million.”

I glance over at Abby. Her smile is wobbly, and there are tears in her eyes, clearly touched by her daughter’s sweet words. I touch her shoulder and she lets out a watery chuckle.

“Oh, honey!” She motions for Emma to come over to her and scoops her into a hug.

“Mom, why are you crying? I thought you’d be happy,” Emma says, confused.

“I am happy, honey. Sometimes when I’m really, really happy, I cry,” Abby says.

I notice Xander’s mom and Del’s mom are wiping at their eyes. So is Sam’s sister .

“You made all the moms happy-cry, Emma,” Sophie says.

“I wrote stuff down for you too, Gavin,” Emma says brightly. She grabs her paper and starts reading again. “I’m thankful for Gavin and his really cool house that he let me and my mom live in. Thank you for letting me use your really awesome pool.”

Around the table, everyone laughs softly.

“Thank you for being so nice to us. Thank you for having girl dinner with me. Thank you for hanging out with me so much. You are a really cool guy. And my mom likes you a lot.”

Emotion bubbles up inside of me at Emma’s adorable and heartfelt words.

She steps over and hugs me. I wrap my arms around her, my eyes misty.

“You’re welcome, kiddo,” I say softly.

She runs back over to the kids’ table.

Abby dabs at her face. “Sorry to get emotional, everyone,” she says.

“Oh, honey. Don’t be sorry,” Del’s mom says. “Every time my kids would write me a sweet message in a card when they were little, I’d fall apart.”

“Me too,” Xander’s mom says. “It’s impossible not to cry when your baby does something like that for you.”

Abby chuckles. “So true.”

Sam’s sister dabs at her eyes with a napkin. “The first time the twins were old enough to write me a Mother’s Day card, I sobbed.”

Her husband wraps his arm around her while everyone chuckles and nods along, then we all dig into dinner.

After a minute, Abby turns to me. “I’m thankful for you, Gavin,” she says softly .

I smile at her and reach down and give her hand a squeeze, my heart feeling full in a way it hasn’t in a long time.