Page 77 of Seizing Mack
Nick’s mom beamed. “It’s nice to meet you too, Mack. Thank you for having us.”
“It smells amazing in here, Mack,” Liz said, following in behind them with Miles and Brandon. “What can we do to help? And don’t even think about saying ‘nothing’. Making Thanksgiving dinner together is half the fun.”
“She’s right,” Lynnette said, pushing up her sleeves. “I haven’t had a chance to prepare a proper holiday feast in years.”
“In that case, I would love some help.”
Nick winked over his mother’s head and grinned. “Told you,” he mouthed.
Mack got them both aprons and put Nick’s mom in charge of the dressing, then handed Liz a colander of washed vegetables and pointed her towards a machine that cut, sliced, diced, and spiraled. “Create something beautiful.”
Liz beamed in approval. “I’m on it. Hey, Nick, the Shelby’s running a little rough. Would you mind taking a look?”
Nick’s eyes lit up. “Yeah, sure. You good in here?”
“Yeah, we’re good,” Mack waved him off. “Go bond.”
“Mind if we tag along?” Marcus asked.
“Not at all. What do you say, Dad? You want to see the Shelby and check out the 1970 SS396 Chevelle I picked up while we’re at it?”
Ed Benning, who had been looking a little lost, brightened. “The Shelby?”
Liz laughed as the men filed out, talking excitedly about Nick’s latest acquisition. “Some things never change. Nick has always been obsessed with classic muscle cars, and Brandon is just like him.”
Mack’s father was the last to arrive. George MacKenzie pulled her into a big bear hug, lifting her off the ground.
“Isn’t Catherine with you?”
A frown ghosted over his features. “She sends her apologies. Delilah called earlier and asked to see her.”
“I invited Delilah,” Mack told him.
“I know you did, sweetheart. Now where is this young man I keep hearing so much about?”
Her father’s deliberate change of topic signaled the end of the conversation as far as Catherine and Delilah were concerned. Something was going on there, Mack was certain of it, but she wasn’t going to let that cast a shadow on the day.
“He’s out back, showing the guys his new toy. I’ll take you out and introduce you.”
“No need, I can introduce myself,” George said gruffly, leaning down to give her a kiss. “I just need to know one thing: is he treating my baby right?”
Mack grinned. “Yeah, he is, Dad.”
George nodded. “Then we’ll get along just fine.”
“Your dad is a lot like mine,” Liz said on a laugh.
“A good man never stops caring for his daughter, and you will always be your daddy’s little girl,” Lynnette agreed.
With Liz and Lynnette’s help, the dinner came together beautifully. It was a lovely combination of traditional family recipes and healthy, vegan options. The atmosphere around the dinner table was friendly, lively, and at times, loud. Mack soaked it all in, embracing the spirit of the day by being thankful that they had all come together.
Nick suddenly cleared his throat and stood, raising his glass. “Thank you, everyone, for coming today. To family, both new and old.”
Everyone raised their glasses and murmured their agreement.
“And while we’re all gathered here, there’s something else I’d like to say.” He paused, ensuring he had everyone’s attention, including Mack’s.
“I never thought I’d find true happiness again, but Mack has changed all that. I’ve fallen deeply and madly in love with her, and I’d like this Thanksgiving to be the first of many, many more to come, if she’ll have me.”
