Page 21 of Love: Take Two

I don't know the details, but I think she might be no-contact with her parents. She and Cory have been serious for months now, but she still seems shocked by how much we all like each other. How much we support each other, even when we get on each other's nerves.

The Parks are the opposite; we are afull-contactfamily. Everyone can't make it toeverydinner, but then there's flagfootball in the park with just the brothers, and the many parties Mom throws to keep the house full. I don't think I've even gone a week without speaking to at least one of them.In person. At least not since college.

"But this isn't your first official Thanksgiving, is it?" Camila asks to break the tension. I smile gratefully at her.

"No," Yong-rae responds while accepting Adam's offer of white wine. "But it's never been anythingthiselaborate. I've mainly done Friendsgiving or Sidesgiving."

Tiffany walks back into the crowded dining room carrying a steaming basket of Mom's signature yeast rolls. She sets it down next to Damon and I hear his stomach growl.

"Maya, Denise, and I used to do Friendsgiving," Tiffany says, "but what'sSidesgiving?"

"It's exactly how it sounds," Yong-rae replies with a grin. "It's Thanksgiving dinner with nothing but the sides. Mashed potatoes. Dressing. Green bean casserole." He sighs dreamily. "It was heaven."

"No turkey?" Damon questions. "I gotta have my protein."

Cory snorts.

"You and your protein. You eat like you're still training."

"Damon used to play basketball professionally," I explain to Yong-rae, who perks up immediately.

"Really?" he presses, looking at Damon with curiosity. "For which team?"

"I played overseas. You wouldn't know them," Damon answers, eyeing the candied yams longingly.

"No way!" Yong-rae exclaims, drawing looks from around the table. "My friend from university plays in the Korean Basketball League."

"Uh, well," Damon sputters, surprised. "Most recently, I played in the Liga ACB."

Yong-rae's face lights up.

"I havegotto tell my friend! You wouldn't have played each other, but what are the odds I get invited to Thanksgiving and run intoanotherKorean professional basketball player?"

"Small world," Damon says, still awed. Henry nudges him under the table.

"Does having a fan here make up for Kendra not being able to come?" Henry asks.

"A little," Damon grumbles. "I just really wanted to bring her as mygirlfriend. Not Denise's friend or your client."

Yong-rae is listening, rapt, and I imagine we must seem like a K-drama, complete with overlapping relationships and celebrities.

"I'm sure she'll call once there's a break in shooting," Mom offers, patting Damon's hand from across the table. He nods, but his expression is closed, almost angry. I'm not sure I even want to know.

"She's shooting…" Yong-rae muses. "Is she an actor too?" Damon shakes his head.

"She's a model."

At this, Yong-rae's eyes go wide.

"Not Kendra Gray?" he utters.

"Yeah, that's her," Damon replies, and I can tell he's doing his best not to preen. Sheisbeautiful…and way too good for my brother. But I can tell from his more relaxed demeanor these past few months that she's good for him.

Behind a stunned Yong-rae, Cory reaches to snatch a roll from the basket, but Mom slaps his hand away.

"C'mon, Mom," Cory whines. Maya coughs into her napkin to cover a laugh. "Those rolls are taunting me! Can't we eatwhilewe talk?"

Dad frowns, and just as he's about to scold Cory for his poor table manners, the kitchen timer goes off.