Page 56 of That Fake Feeling

“SinceIspent the whole day rearranging furniture in almost every room of the new house becauseLouisacouldn’t decide where she wanted everything and didn’t want to wait to get the movers back tomorrow.”

Walker, who’s sitting next toElliotand facing the back of the screen, finally looks up from his phone, does a dramatic eye roll, and shakes his head.

“Well,Ilook forward to a house tour in person,”MaggietellsTom. “Onceyou’ve got it all unpacked,I’llcome for a visit.”

Tommutes himself and turns away from the screen to speak to someone off to the side.Henods and seems to be saying “okay” over and over.

Helooks back at the screen and turns his mic back on.

“Right,Ihave to love you and leave you.I’mgoing to turn in.IfIgo to bed afterLou,I’llwake her up, and she has an early appointment.”

Elliotrests his chin on his hand and looks atWalker, who raises his eyebrows and goes back to his phone.

Maggiepicks up the tablet and swings it around. “Justsay goodnight to everyone.”

Weall raise our glasses and say goodnight.Jimturns around from the grill, waves a spatula, and calls, “Loveyou,Tom.”

AsMaggieends the call,Connorlooks skyward. “Louisais out-fucking-rageous.”

Heslides his arm from my chair, his thumb grazing my back, sending tingles up to my neck and down to the base of my spine.Mybody automatically leans toward him, like he’s a magnetI’mpowerless to control.

“It’snot like shedoesanything.”Elliotis clearly equally appalled. “Sowhat the hell is her early appointment about?”

“Probablyher nails,”Maxsays.

“Now, now,”Maggiechides them.

“Oh, come on,” the guys all protest in unison.

“Evenher own mother thinks she’s selfish,”Walkeradds.

Connorlooks at him. “Whathave you got going on tonight?You’vebarely stopped texting since we got here.”

“Emily,”Walkersays. “We’relooking for a different shaped bottle for a new range of fruit-infused ales.Shekeeps sending me pictures.”

Connorturns to me. “Emily’sWalker’sbusiness partner.”

“Andhis best pal since college,”Elliotchips in.

“Oh.”Connormakes a pouty face. “IthoughtIwas your best pal,Walk.”

FamilyConnoris so different fromManhattanConnor.Yes, he’s joked around with me a bit, but this is a whole new kind of ease.AneaseIhaven’t seen in his own home.Exceptmaybe the other night in the few moments after he offered me a beer and pizza beforeMaxandWalkershowed up.

Ihope they all realize how lucky they are to have each other.Andanyone they bring into this family will be lucky too.Pollyis clearly right at home.Andit’s amazing how warmlyMaggieandJimhave welcomed me whenI’mjust a temporary impostor.

Idon’t often feel the lack of my own family.Butbeing surrounded by people lovingly giving each other a hard time does bring it home.Whateverhappens tomorrow,Imust make time to talk toAuntJen.

Jimreturns to the head of the table with giant platters loaded with barbecued everything in each hand. “Okay, folks, here we go.”

“Andhere are the salads.”Pollyreappears from the kitchen, wheeling out a cart laden with half a dozen huge bowls that she unloads onto the table.

“Allmade from local produce,”Maxsays.

“NeverthoughtI’dsee the day when myMostinChargeSonpraised the origin of a lettuce,”Maggiesays. “Youare quite the worker of wonders,Polly.”

Connorleans toward me, close enough that my hair might tickle his face. “Pollyhas an organic produce store,” he explains.

Hisshoulder rests against mine just long enough to send a little shudder through me.