Page 168 of With Us

“That’d be fun.” After we got into the elevator, I turned my body toward him and wrapped my arms around his waist. “Speaking of fun…”

His hand that had come to rest on my lower back slid down to cup my ass. “Yeah?”

I laughed. “Not that.”

“Damn.” He moved his hand back. “What was it?”

“Can we go to the fight tomorrow?”

He shook his head. “No.” Before my disappointment could fully sink in, though, he added, “It’s not going to be good enough. If I’m taking you to your first fight, we’ll go Thanksgiving night to see Astaire.”

“Is he good?”

“Better than good. Did you want to go to my parents’, or have Thanksgiving at our place?”

It was a simple question, but one that brought so much joy, I couldn’t hide the massive grin that’d spread across my face. “Do you normally go to your parents’?”

“Yes, but that doesn’t mean anything.”

“I think it sounds perfect. Ask your mom what I can bring. Just no cake, unless she wants store bought.”

“I will when I call to let her know we’re coming.”

My first real Thanksgiving dinner with a family…

And then an illegal fight.

Is it bad I’m not sure which I’m looking forward to more?

???

“Put the camera away, my gattina,” Theo whispered in my ear, nipping the edge with his teeth.

“Hold on. They’re being so quiet, and their dresses are still clean.”

Kat and Mar sat on one of the patio tables, their legs hanging off it. It was just chilly enough for their cheeks to be red, but not so cold they’d needed a coat. They kicked their legs, leaning in close to each other to share a whisper and a giggle.

Based on their mischievous smiles and whispered conversation, it was likely they were plotting. But it also made for a beautiful picture.

When Theo had surprised me with an insanely complicated camera he’d sent Rosa to get, I’d been intimidated and surprised. Unlike the phone and SUV controls, however, I’d caught on quickly.

Well, quicker.

Luc still had to explain a lot to me, but it hadn’t been as bad.

I’d have never guessed how much I’d love using it. I wasn’t Ansel Adams or anything, and I had no intention of trying to pursue a career. It was just a lot of fun.

After working as hard as I had for so long, it was nice to have ahobby.

Theo rubbed my back. “Mom wants to know if you can help smash the potatoes.”

Such a little thing shouldn’t have excited me so much. It did, though.

I whipped the camera off and practically threw it at Theo. “Why didn’t you say so? Can you put this away, please?” Lifting onto my tiptoes, I kissed his cheek and headed for the kitchen. “Thanks.”

“Dahlia, thank goodness.” Rachelle whipped her hands and looked around. “I may have miscalculated the timing and now I’m behind. Have you made mashed potatoes before?”

“Only the boxed flake kind.”

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