“I think this is a terrible idea. Truly. Awful.” Chloe says as she leans against the island in JP’s kitchen. Well, I guess it’s my kitchen now too.

“I’m with Chlo. This just seems like a recipe for disaster,” Trey says as he pulls his beer to his lips. “Holidays and family drama and alcohol and a carving knife?” he continues.

I spin away from the sweet potatoes I’m mashing and give them both a look. “Look, you two are here to help. I don’t want to hear any of this negativity.”

“You invited your parents and JP’s mom and my parents for Thanksgiving dinner and you think Trey and I can help?”

“It’s a shame that no one was having Thanksgiving dinner! My parents were going to be at my house alone, and who knows what Mason would have ended up doing because we were going to your mom’s,” I say, pointing at Trey. “And Aunt Melanie can’t cook for shit,” I say, referring to Chloe’s mom. “I am saving your parents.”

“Oh, make no mistake, my parents are thrilled but mostly for the front seat to the shitshow.” She snorts into her mimosa.

“They were also invited for damage control.” I point my spoon at her. “Make sure they know their roles. Tell your dad not to antagonize my dad.” I wipe the sweat from my brow with the back of my hand. “Maybe this all blows up in our faces but I think we should all sit down and… try. It’s Thanksgiving after all. If we don’t do this now, if we don’t try while the wounds are still fresh, we won’t heal right. You know? Things will be awkward and polite and stiff hugs and forced phone calls and I don’t want that. So, I will take the arguing and the anger and fighting because at least that means we are fighting for something. What I will never take from anyone in this family is indifference.”

“Should I be writing this down? I feel like that was a nice little speech.” Chloe says with a chuckle and I give her my middle finger.

“I agree.” I hear his voice from the door and then he’s moving through it, already dressed for dinner. With gray slacks and a black cashmere sweater, he looks gorgeous and a picture of style and sophistication and I bite my lip. Unlike me, who still hadn’t showered and was covered in food.

“Baby, I said let me help.” He moves toward me before pressing a kiss to my temple.

“You did! You peeled all the potatoes.” I point. “And I am going to need you to flip the turkey in a little.

“Anything you need.” He looks down at me. “Anything at all today, alright?”

I nod, hearing the implication in his voice.