Page 54 of Remade

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 beingnice,” Shay laughed. “What the fuck?”

That was how the back-and-forth started between Reese, Danny, Mathis, and Shay, with Em trying to play ref, so it was easy to tune it all out and focus on Leighton. And the food.

I draped an arm across the top of his chair and kissed his temple. “Everything good?”

He nodded and licked hot sauce from his hand. “I didn’t realize how hungry I was till I sat down.” He chomped down on a bread roll and reached for the bowl of mashed potatoes.

I chuckled.

“By the way,” he said, swallowing his food. “If you notice I’m quiet, I’m just processing talking to Mary and Elise today. They shared a bunch of memories about Dad, and…yeah.”

I smiled and squeezed his leg under the table. “I figured it was something like that.”

He looked a little timid as he wiped his mouth, and he inched closer. “And maybe it’s something else too. Can we talk outside?”

I lifted my brows. “Now? Sure.”

He nodded and scooted out his chair.

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