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.He was sure Gio wouldn’t have a problemwith him inviting her, but given that she apparently didn’t even feel comfortable with Nellie’s familyunless Nellie was there she’d most likely decline the invitation.He watched her pour herself a glass of juice and grab a string cheese from the refrigerator.“You okay?”She glanced at him, her expression a bit surprised.“Yeah, why?”He shrugged.“You seem a little down.I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation.Nellie’snot gonna be around for Thanksgiving?”“Oh that.” She nodded.“Yeah her and her husband are going on some couples’ retreat.They’vehad some issues this year they’re trying to work out so the pastor down at her church suggested theytry it.They’ll be gone the whole holiday weekend.”She sat down at the small table and began pulling the strings of cheese apart.She opened hermouth and she dangled a string in front of her mouth, then played with it with her tongue, making Noahswallow hard.He nearly forgot what they’d been talking about when he finally snapped out of it andcleared his throat.“So where are you spending Thanksgiving?”She lifted a shoulder but continued her affection with the string cheese.Noah made a mentalnote to buy more string cheese—a lot more.“I’ll probably just stay here.Maybe rent some movies or something.It’s no big deal.”“Alone?”She finally looked up at him and away from her cheese.“Yeah alone.” She smiled weakly.“I’ve been alone for over eight months now.Well… until you moved in.But I’m used to it.”“But it’s a holiday.” He walked over to the table and sat across from her.“One you’resupposed to spend with family or friends.”Immediately he felt so stupid for saying that because those eyes that seemed a bit sad when shefirst walked into the kitchen were now undeniably cheerless though she still attempted to hide it.“I’ve never had much family and the only friend I ever really had is Nellie.So I’m immune tothese kinds of things.They don’t affect me like they would other people.”Noah wasn’t buying this shit for a minute.He reached over and touched her hand.“You haveme, now.”She stopped chewing and stared at him.He saw a bit of what he’d seen in her eyes the night hetold her how old he was.“Noah, I—”“I mean, we’re friends right? Not just roommates.So you can include me now as one of yourfriends.” He sat up straighter panicked that the look in her eyes was still there.“Why don’t you comewith me to Gio’s house for Thanksgiving? I’m sure he wouldn’t mind and—”“Oh no I couldn’t.” She shook her head adamantly.“Why not?”“I hardly know him.” She stood up and Noah stood with her.“Really.I’ll be fine.”“Then I’ll stay with you.”She turned to him her eyes even wider.“No!”God, she was cute when she was being stubborn.“Why the hell not? Look you’re my friendnow.I don’t want you to be alone.”“Noah, you’re being silly.I’ll be just fine.You should be with your friends.You said it’swhere you always spend Thanksgiving.You were looking forward to it.” She crossed her arms infront of her.“I’m not going to keep you from it.”Noah could see she wasn’t going to give in to this but he’d be damned if he was going to let herspend the holiday alone.He knew what that felt like and he didn’t want her to.“All right.”She seemed a little surprised he’d given in so easily but pleased.“Good.I appreciate youoffering but I promise you I’ll be just fine.”Noah couldn’t help but smirk.Yes, she would be fine.He’d make sure of it.“Well, maybe youdon’t plan on eating a lot this week but I do, so I say we get in a damn good work out tonight.”That smile of hers was breathtaking and Noah struggled to pull his eyes away from it.“Okaythen.I’ll go get ready.”He couldn’t help feeling a little irritated with himself for staring at her as she walked out of theroom.He had to stop with all the thoughts he’d been having about her lately.They were friends nowand nothing would ruin a friendship faster than doing some of the things he could only dream of doingto her.The tension he felt throughout his entire body was unreal.Food had nothing to do with why hewanted to work out hard tonight.Between watching her make love to that damn string cheese and thenstaring at her lips as she explained why he shouldn’t stay home with her on Thanksgiving, a hard assworkout was exactly what he needed.~*~Thanksgiving morning Veronica woke to a familiar aroma.One she hadn’t smelled in the housein years.She wasn’t completely sure but as she walked through the hallway toward the kitchen thesmell was unmistakable.Honey ham and it smelled delicious.She turned the corner so see Noah in the kitchen wearing an apron peeling potatoes.The diningtable was set for two, centerpiece and all and there were pies on the center island.“What do youthink you’re doing?”Noah glanced up at her with a grin.“I’m making Thanksgiving dinner for us.”“No you’re not.You’re going to Gio’s house.You said you were really looking forward to it.”He raised an eyebrow with the grin turning into an all out smile.“But what I decided I’ve beenlooking forward to even more—my entire life—was preparing a Thanksgiving meal.”When she didn’t return the smile his smile turned into a pout.“Foster care system all my liferemember?”How dare he use that to guilt her into not being mad at him.She should’ve known better whenhe’d given in so easily the other day.When his smug grin returned, she couldn’t help but smile thistime.She walked toward him trying to appear still angry but secretly she was a little excited.Thoughit really wasn’t a big deal that she’d be spending Thanksgiving alone she wasn’t exactly lookingforward to it.“I can’t believe you.When did you do all this?”He seemed relieved that she was more curious than upset.“Well, I’ve never actually prepareda meal like this so I sort of cheated.The ham was already prepared and spiraled.All I had to do wasstick it in the oven and I figured a turkey would be too much for just me and you so I got a stuffedturkey breast that again, all I had to do was stick in there.” He gestured to the oven.“I’m not much ofa baker so I bought pies already made but I did wanna prepare something and was hoping you’d helpme.We could sort of… you know… do this together.So I’m making the mashed potatoes and I boughtsome string beans so we can make a string bean casserole.” He pointed at a bag on the counter by therefrigerator.“And in keeping with the Mexican tradition I bought some tamales from the lady sellingthem in the parking lot.”Veronica laughed bringing her hand to her mouth.She didn’t want him to notice how giddy shewas beginning to feel.This was completely unexpected and she hadn’t had a Thanksgiving feast likethis in ages.“So whatta ya say? You gonna help me with this or what?”“Sure I’ll help.” She walked around the island to where he stood.“You wanna do the potatoes or the green beans?”Remembering the easy recipe her mother had taught her, she chose the green beans and got towork.She watched as Noah pressed a few buttons on his phone then set it on the table next to whatlooked like speaker and soon Christmas carols began playing.“Well that’s cool.” She had to admit.Noah laughed.“That’s like one of the easiest things you can do on this phone.The more I playwith it the more awesome I think it is.”“Still too extravagant for me
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