Page 76 of Meet Me in the Vines
Kerry snorts with the cinnamon roll stuffed in his mouth, sparking a chain reaction of snickers from everyone. It starts with Tia, who nearly spits out her food, causing Logan to double over as drool escapes his mouth. Audrey’s cheeks puff out like a chipmunk hoarding nuts in its mouth, which makes me spit out my cinnamon roll. It lands in the center of the fire, punctuated by a glow in the center of the flames.
We’re laughing so hard that no sound is being made except wheezing and ragged inhales, and someone—I think Tia—sounds like a tea kettle going off. Wyatt slumps deep in his chair, casually eating his dessert with his eyes bloodshot and glazed over, shaking his head at everyone on the floor.
“Oh my Lord, kids! Caleb, we should’ve cut them off a long time ago,” my mom shouts over us, half laughing, half in disbelief that her grown adult children can’t handle their alcohol.
“Grace, I can’t help that your sons have your alcohol tolerance,” my dad retorts, earning a playful slap on the shoulder from mom.
“These are not my sons right now. They’reyours,”my mom counters, pushing her index finger into Dad’s chest.
My dad and Noah glance over at each other, both with sly grins on their faces, sitting back in their chairs enjoying dessert. More so, enjoying the shit show unfolding before them.
“I’m sorry, mommy!” Kerry squeaks out, his stomach cramping from eating too fast and laughing too hard. That sets us off into another wave of silent laughter as we fight for our lives.
Audrey and I slide out of our chairs. Her head buries in my shoulder as tears trickle down her face.
Damn, I haven’t laughed like this with my family since…well, before James. We used to laugh like this all the time. My eyes scan around the firepit and an overwhelming sense of joyovercomes my whole body. Even my dad is chuckling—and I realize with a jolt, I miss him.
This is what Sunday dinners are about.
I look down at Audrey and lift her chin up to meet my eyes. Her giggles have settled, and her irises glow with the embers of the flame before us. Absolutely beautiful without even trying.
“Can I have forever with you?” she whispers, creating a bubble around us to live in, just us two.
I press a gentle kiss into her soft pout and whisper back, “Forever with you is only the start.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
AUDREY
Audrey
I’m leaving in 10, T.
Tia
omg make it 20. i’m so fucking hungover.
Audrey
honestly, same. lol
Tia
why didn’t you stop me after the 6th glass?!
Audrey
no no, don’t blame me. i couldn’t even keep track!
Tia
this is YOUR fault.
Audrey
lol. Donovan invited us to the winery for a tasting. you up for some hair of the dog after we shop?
Tia
