Page 151 of His Surrender

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

He reaches across the center console and laces his fingers through mine. “Your parents were pretty wonderful on the phone.”

“They were.”

“I still can’t believe your dad congratulated me.”

I laugh. “You expected him to threaten you?”

“I was prepared for at least a strongly worded lecture.”

“He’ll save that one in case you do something stupid.”

Dean groans dramatically. “I knew there’d be a catch.”

I lean over and press a quick kiss to his lips. “You’ll survive.”

“I hope so.”

His hand comes up to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing softly across my skin before he kisses me again.

This one lingers. Neither of us seems particularly eager to open the door.

Finally, I smile against his lips. “If I don’t go inside, my mom’s going to start looking out the window.”

Dean laughs. “And then she’ll definitely catch us.”

“Exactly.”

He steals one last kiss. “Go enjoy your family.”

“I’ll see you tonight?”

“You’ll see me tonight.”

I climb out of the SUV, smoothing my coat as I wave one last time before heading toward the front porch.

Dean waits until I’m safely inside before pulling away toward his dad’s house next door.

The second I step inside, the familiar smells of the holiday hit me.

“Aubrey!” Mom appears from the kitchen, carrying a wooden spoon, before pulling me into a hug with her free arm. “Happy Thanksgiving.”

I smile. “Happy Thanksgiving.”

She steps back, looking me over. “You look beautiful.”

“So do you.”

“I’ve had flour on this sweater since eight this morning.”

“Then you wear flour beautifully.”

She laughs. “I raised you well.”

“You did.”

Dad appears from the dining room, carrying a stack of extra chairs. “There’s my girl.” He sets the chairs down just long enough to wrap me in one of his bear hugs. “Happy Thanksgiving, Bug.”