Page 67 of Blind Date with a #FORMERPLAYER
“Thanks for inviting us. I brought you apple pie since you said it was your favorite.” Yum.
“Yes, thank you for having us,” Gabe says to Aunt Miranda as he sets down two bottles of wine.
“I’m happy to have more people to cook for with my family all at their in-laws houses this year,” Aunt Miranda proclaims.
Gabe glances at me, and shakes my hand, smirking. “I can’t believe I’m having Thanksgiving dinner with a Lion.”
Chuckling, I reply, “I could say the same about you.”
“I’m not a Lion.”
Shaking my head, I laugh harder.
“We can still kick you out for not being a Lion fan, or at least a fan of my nephew,” Uncle Steve teases, standing next to me.
Gabe chuckles, running his hand over his jaw. “I never said I wasn’t a fan of Levi…as long as he keeps treating Layla well.”
Layla smiles watching us. “All right. Play nice.” She shakes her head. “I didn’t notice before, but you two really look alike.”
I glance at my uncle, grinning. “Yeah, our side of the family has strong genes.”
Lawson walks in, his blue eyes the only difference between the two of us. “People used to confuse us as brothers or even twins when we were growing up,” he says, jumping right into the conversation. I always loved those moments. They’re the kind of family I wanted to be associated with instead of my own. Lawson looks at Layla first and holds out his hand, a crooked smile on his face. “Hi, you must be Layla.” She nods and shakes his hand. “I’m this guy’s cousin, Lawson.”
“It’s great to finally meet you.” Pausing, she gestures to her mom, “That’s my mom and this is my brother Gabe.”
He glances at Gabe and shakes his hand. “Yeah, I know who you are. You have a great arm.”
“Thanks.”
Della walks in soon after and the introductions start again. She looks more like her mom, petite with light brown hair, and her dad’s golden brown eyes.
“Can we help with something?” Layla inquires.
“I think I’ve got it under control. Thank you,” Aunt Miranda replies.
I look around the kitchen, taking it all in, feeling a little overwhelmed. Wrapping my arm around Layla, I press a kiss to her head and smile. This is how holidays should be all the people I love in one place.
My heart skips a beat at my internal admission. I don’t know if I’m in love, but I’m definitely falling for this woman. This intense feeling is more than it has ever been, but surprising myself, I welcome it.
Thinking about what happens in a couple of months scares the shit out of me, but for now, I’ll focus on this. Us. Her.
Reaching down, I tip Layla’s chin up and whisper, “I’m thankful for you. Happy Thanksgiving.” Closing the distance between us, I press my lips to hers, kissing her tenderly.
“Enough already,” Gabe grumbles.
Layla pulls back, blushing fiercely making me chuckle. Looking back at me, she holds my gaze, “I’m grateful for you too, Levi.”
My heart clenches, full.
Chapter 34
Layla
The week after Thanksgiving, I walk in from my mom’s feeling drained and hungry, trudging towards the kitchen. Involuntarily, my eyes close and I inhale deeply. “Mm, what are you making? It smells so good.”
My eyes flutter open, my gaze landing on Gabe standing at the stove, stirring something that smells of tomatoes, onions, and garlic. He smirks, turning off the burner. “I made chili. I figured it would be enough for us for dinner and something we could bring to mom, even freeze some.”
“That was a great idea.”
