Page 70 of Seal the Deal

Claire nods, wincing slightly. “Yeah. I know it’s a crime, but my mom insisted on homemade every year, so it’s a habit.”

Tamara groans dramatically, leaning her hip against the counter. “Homemade cranberry sauce is an abomination. Nobody likes it. You know what’s better? The stuff in the can that comes out solid with the little ridges still on it.That’scranberry sauce.”

“What?” I blink at her, completely lost. “Cranberry sauce comes in a can?”

“Oh, Charlie,” Tamara says, her expression serious, like she’s about to deliver earth-shattering news. “Yes. And it’s glorious. You open the can, it slides out in one perfect jiggling tube, and you slice it like a loaf. None of this homemade nonsense.”

Claire shakes her head, laughing as she turns back to her chopping board. “You’re terrible.”

“No, I’m right,” Tamara fires back, waggling her spoon in Claire’s direction. “Be honest, when’s the last time anyone actually ate the homemade stuff?”

Ryan walks in, grabbing a roll from the counter. “What are we arguing about?”

“Homemade cranberry sauce,” Claire answers, shooting him a look. “And howsomeone—” she glances at Tamara, “—thinks the canned stuff is superior.”

“Because it is!” Tamara says, throwing her hands up.

Ryan pauses mid-chew, considering. “I hate to say it, but Tam’s got a point. That canned stuff is weirdly addictive.”

“Thank you!” Tamara says triumphantly. “See? Ryan knows what’s up.”

Claire rolls her eyes, turning to me. “What about you, Charlie? What’s your take?”

I hold up my hands in mock surrender. “I have no idea. We don’t do Thanksgiving in New Zealand, let alone this whole cranberry sauce debate. This is uncharted territory for me.”

Tamara grins, leaning closer. “Okay, here’s the deal. If your cranberry sauce actually turns out, I’ll eat it. But if not, I brought a can with me and I’m not afraid to use it.”

I laugh as I set to work on the recipe. “No pressure, then.”

As the afternoon goes on, the conversation flows easily, and I find myself enjoying theircompany more than I expected. Claire is sweet and nurturing, while Tamara has a dry sense of humor that catches me off guard in the best way.

“So, how’s itactuallygoing with Jake?” Tamara asks after a while, her tone casual but curious.

I shrug. “It’s going well. We’re still figuring things out.”

“He’s crazy about you, you know. He talks about you nonstop,” Claire replies knowingly. “He seems happier.”

I glance at her, unsure what to say. “Really?”

Tamara nods. “Agreed. He’s always been great, but there’s something different about him now. It’s a good thing.”

Her words warm me, but they also make me think about how much has changed for me, too. Jake has been a constant in a time of uncertainty, and being here today surrounded by his friends, makes me realize just how much I really do want him in my life.

My cheeks heat, but I manage to keep my tone even. “Yeah, well, he’s pretty great.”

“And today’s going to be great, too,” Tamara says confidently, noting my blush and topping up my glass of wine.

As the day turns into evening, I realize I haven’t seen the kids for a while and wander down the hallway towards the rec room to check on them.

To my left, a bathroom door opens and Jake steps. He gives me a slow, devilish smile and grabs my hand, pulling me back inside with him.

The door clicks shut behind us, and suddenly I'm caged up against the bathroom wall.

“Hi,” he murmurs, face inches from mine.

“Hi,” I reply, my voice barely a whisper as my hands settle on his chest, feeling the strong beat of his heart beneath my fingertips.

“You doing okay?” His breath is warm against my skin as he dips his head, pressing his lips to the curve of my jaw.

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