Page 162 of Come Back to Me

“I will!” Lizzie enthusiastically volunteers. “Also, good job livening up the room, little bro.”

Noah sticks his middle finger up at Lizzie.

“Anyway, I’m thankful for my family, my friends, and my new job I will be starting next year. Okay, who’s next?”

“I’ll go,” Celia says. “I’m thankful for my wonderful daughter, the Kaplan family, and this incredible food we’re about to eat.”

Dani hugs Celia from the side. “I’m thankful for my mom, my friends, and the Kaplan family.”

Noah puts his arms up in protest. “Hey, what about me?”

“Oh yeah, I’m thankful for my boyfriend, too.” Dani blows a kiss in Noah’s direction.

“I guess I’ll go next,” Dana says. “I’m thankful for my incredible son, who is always there for me and supports me through thick and thin. I’m thankful for the Kaplan family who willingly took me in and let me live in their beautiful house. And I’m thankful to be surrounded by everybody here, newfriends and old.”

“Violet, you’re up.” Laura smiles big at me.

“Okay, then.” My eyes meet Laura’s. “I’m thankful that you came into my life when you did because I don’t know where I’d be and I don’t think I’d be the person I am today without you, Laur.” I turn back around in my seat. “I’m thankful for the friends I’ve made. I’m thankful to be here.”

“We’re happy you’re here with us,” Laura says.

“Is this the try not to cry challenge?” Grayson asks, prompting laughter from everybody in the room. “I’m thankful for my incredible mother, who’s gone through hell and back. I’m thankful for the Kaplan family because you guys became my family, and I’m thankful for my friends.”

“Shall we dig in?” Laura asks everybody.

“Hold on.” Grayson gets up from his seat, leaning on it with his arms. “There’s one person here that I’m more than thankful for because I probably wouldn’t be here without her.”

Dani and Noah exchange confused glances at each other, while Celia and Laura do the same. Lizzie and Dana are anxiously waiting for more of the story to be revealed.

Grayson starts walking over to me, and my heart is about to sink all the way down to my stomach.

Everybody remain calm. It’s happening. It’s finally happening.

“Can I sit here for a second?” he asks Dani.

“Be my guest.” She walks over to Noah, sitting down on his lap. He wraps his arms around her waist.

“I’m thankful for the woman sitting next to me. I don’t know how I survived six years without her in my life, and I can tell you that’s not going to happen ever again.” His gaze meets mine, making me melt like hot candle wax. “I love you, Vi.”

My eyes water as I clear my throat. “I love you more, Gray.”

He cups my face, placing a gentle and sweet kiss on my lips.

“I’m sorry, did we get into a time machine and go back to high school?” Noah asks with shock written all over his face.

Dani gets off of Noah’s lap and sits in the chair next to him where Grayson originally was.

“You really didn’t know?” Grayson asks him.

“I had no idea,” he says.

“I’m so fucking happy for you guys!” Dani shouts across the table.

“Did anybody else think this was going to be a proposal?” Dana asks, her eyes growing wide.

“Me! I was patiently waiting for it to happen,” Lizzie says.

Grayson puts his hand up in front of his face. “Okay Mom, one step at a time here.”