“I can’t stay.”
“What? Everyone’s going to be here soon. I can’t do this all bymyself. I need you.”
“All you have to do is take everything out of the oven and uncoverthe dishes.” She pointed to a list she’d made. “Everything you need to do isright here. I’m sure some of your guests will offer to help.” Dex had purposelyput everything in oven-proof serving dishes to make it easier. She’d done thismany times before when she’d brought food out for her work crew and spread itout in the back of her SUV. It was the best way to serve a group.
“What about the turkey?”
“It’ll take about three hours. It should come out of the ovenabout three o’clock. Brent can take out the turkey and carve it. He could’veprobably helped you with all this if you’d asked him.” She took off the apronGrace had loaned her. “You’ve got this, Grace. Now, I gotta go. I’m alreadylate.”
“Just stay until everything comes out of the oven. Have a glass ofwine with me. Juni won’t care.”
“I’m not going to Juni’s. I’m going to Emma’s parents’.”
“You’re meeting her parents?”
“Yeah, and I’m late.” She took her coat from the back of the chairand put it on. “I really gotta go.”
“Keep your phone close.”
Dex gave her a thumbs-up as she took off out the door. She wasalready an hour late. Thankfully, Emma’s family ate dinner later than most. Shewas super nervous, and now she was going to probably slide in just in time fordinner. She’d wanted to make a good impression, but that had gone right out thewindow. She should’ve never agreed to help Grace today, but the desperate pleashe’d given her when she’d called had sucked her in.
* * *
Emma rushed to the door as soon as she heard the bell ring. Dexhad sent her a text letting her know she’d had to stop by Grace’s on the wayand would be there in twenty minutes. She’d thought Grace had backed off, but itseemed she’d only become invisible to Emma, tugging at Dex when they weren’ttogether. She stopped for a minute and tamped down her frustration before shepulled open the door.
“Wow. Absolutely wow,” Dex said as her eyes roamed Emma from headto toe before she stepped in and kissed her.
“Hey, you.” She melted into her arms and instantly forgave Dex. Itwas hard to stay angry at the woman who made her heartbeat double at just thesight of her. She’d never had a woman gaze at her with such desire as Dex did.
“I didn’t realize your folks lived so close to my house.” Shehanded Emma the bottle of wine she’d brought and took off her coat. Emma openedthe closet and took out a hanger for her. She slid her coat on it and hung iton the rod. “How long have they lived here?”
“Since I was a child.”
“Nice. I love these old craftsman-style homes. This is so muchbigger than mine.”
“Come on. Let’s get you a drink.” Emma looped her arm in Dex’s andpulled her from the foyer.
“I may need more than one tonight.”
“Don’t be nervous. They’re just like your parents.”
“No parents are like mine.”
Emma raised an eyebrow. “That sounds intriguing.”
“Let’s just say they’re unique and leave it at that.”
“I’ll take that for now.” She tugged her close and led her intothe living room. “Hey, everyone, this is my…Dex.” She wasn’t sure how tointroduce her. They hadn’t really discussed their status, and she didn’t wantto overstep.
“This is my family. My mom, Gloria. Most everyone calls her Glo.”She pointed to the two guys on the couch. “My brothers Jeff and Zack. Jeff’sbetter half, Judy, should be around here somewhere too.”
She stepped out of the kitchen and waved. “Present and accountedfor.” Then Emma glanced toward her dad in the recliner. “And my dad, Bill.”
He popped the recliner forward, got up, and held out his hand.“Bill, Emma’s dad.”
Dex smiled and shook his hand. “Dex.” She gave Emma a sidewaysglance. “Emma’s girlfriend. I think.”
Emma couldn’t hold back the huge smile that took over her face.“Yes, my girlfriend,” she said softly. The feeling of joy was overwhelming.Emma couldn’t wait to get Dex alone and kiss her senseless, and as soon as theintroductions were finished she pulled her into the den and did just that.
“Uck, Aunt Emma.” The tiny voices echoed through Emma’s head. Shebroke the kiss and smiled. “These are my nephews, Tyler and Jake.”
They peered over the sofa at them. Shoes were off and flippedsideways by the TV in front of them, and their hair and clothes were totallytousled, as though they’d been wresting for the past hour.
“They look comfortable. Can we hang out in here?”
The boys paused the video game they’d been playing and stared upat them.
“MarioKart?” Dex asked.
“Yeah. You wanna play?”
“Maybe in a little while, boys.” Emma answered for Dex, and they wentback to playing the game. She tugged Dex closer and rested her forehead againstDex’s. “I’m not done kissing you.”
“What about the boys?”
“I don’t care. Did you mean what you said out there about youbeing my girlfriend?” Emma trembled. She never thought she’d feel this wayabout anyone again.
“That’s okay, right? I mean, I didn’t just out you, did I?”
Emma chuckled. “No, you didn’t out me. My parents have known sinceI was thirteen.”
“Then I absolutely meant it.” Dex kissed her again, and Emmareacted in ways she was only beginning to understand.
Emma let out a growl. “I can’t wait for this dinner to be over.”She took Dex’s hand and led her to the kitchen, where her mother and Judy weresetting out appetizers.
Dex fielded all Emma’s mom’s questions with humor and finesse,which had seemed to win her over quickly. As soon as the inquisition was done,Glo sent Dex into the living room to watch football with the guys, while she,Emma, and Judy, finished getting the food ready. Dex had been reluctant to go.She’d wanted to stay and help, but Emma had kissed her softly and
