Page 33 of Only You

“So, what’s the plan today?” she asked between bites of a gooey cinnamon roll.

“My mom called while you were sleeping. After dinner, they’re going to my aunt and uncle’s house. She invited us to come too, but I didn’t think you’d want to.”

Kayla dabbed her mouth with a napkin. “Why not?”

“You agreed to meet my parents, not my entire family.”

“Are there a lot of them?”

“Enough.”

She chuckled. “What did you tell your mom?”

“I said we’d slowly ease you into meeting the rest of the family. But tonight, I wanted to spend time alone with my girlfriend.”

Kayla stared at him, waiting for him to laugh at his own joke. Instead, Jack stared back at her.

“Unless you have other plans,” he added.

“My parents are in Tennessee, which reminds me, I should call them. Other than that, I’m free.”

“I thought we could watch a movie and order a pizza or something.”

It sounded suspiciously like a date, but she knew better. “That’s fine, as long as I get to choose the movie.”

Jack nodded. “Of course. You’re the guest.”

Guest or girlfriend? This was so confusing. Her phone rang, and Kayla glanced down at it. “It’s my mom.”

“I’ll give you some privacy,” Jack said. He stood, picked up his coffee mug, and sailed out of the kitchen.

Kayla answered the phone. “Hi, Mom.”

“Hi, honey. Happy Thanksgiving.”

“Happy Thanksgiving,” her dad echoed in the background.

“Happy Thanksgiving. How was your trip?” Her parents had made the nine-hour trek by car yesterday.

“Good, but tiring,” Sue said.

“How are Grandma and Grandpa?”

“They’re moving a little slower than the last time we saw them, but that’s to be expected.”

Kayla felt a twinge of guilt at not having gone to visit them. It wasn’t too late, though. She could fly out tomorrow and spend the weekend with her family. I promised Jack I’d be here.

“How did it go with Jack’s parents?” Sue asked.

“Good. We’re meeting them soon for dinner.”

“I should go help Grandma in the kitchen. Let’s talk more later,” Sue said.

“Okay. I love you.”

“We love you too,” Sue and Tim chimed together.

As Kayla was clearing the table, Jack reentered the kitchen. “Everything okay with your folks?”