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Ian shook his head and walked out the door. I jumped when I heard his bedroom door slam.
Chapter 22
I was up all night. I couldn’t run the risk of having a nightmare because I didn’t want Ian coming in to rescue me. I didn’t want to see him period and now it was Thanksgiving morning. How stupid was I to think that this Thanksgiving was going to be different. I walked into the kitchen and Charles handed me an apron.
“Good morning, Rory. Happy Thanksgiving.” He smiled.
“Happy Thanksgiving, Charles,” I said as I tied the apron around my waist.
He handed me the recipe for the cranberry nut bread and I began to gather the ingredients. A few moments later, Ian walked into the kitchen. He walked over and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
“Happy Thanksgiving.”
“Happy Thanksgiving,” I replied.
“No nightmare last night?” he asked.
“I didn’t sleep. So no,” I said as I mixed the bread batter.
“You didn’t sleep at all?”
“No. See these,” I said as I put the spoon down and pointed to the bags underneath my eyes.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“Sorry for what? That I didn’t get any sleep or sorry for what you said?”
“Now I’m sorry for even saying sorry,” he said as he walked out of the kitchen.
“Oh, by the way, you don’t need to come with me to visit Stephen. I’m going by myself,” I shouted.
“Good, have fun.”
Asshole.
I put the bread in the oven and went upstairs to get ready to go and see Stephen. Even though Ian hurt me, I felt horrible for the two of us fighting on Thanksgiving. Shit. I let my conscience get the best of me. After I finished getting dressed, I went to find Ian. The smell of turkey started to infiltrate throughout the house as I walked down the stairs. I found him sitting in his study.
“Hey,” I said as I stood in the doorway.
“Is there something you need, Rory? I’m busy.”
“It’s Thanksgiving. What could you possibly be busy with?”
“I’m busy, Rory. What do you want?” he said in a stern tone.
“I just wanted to apologize. So, I’m sorry about last night and this morning,” I said as I turned around and started to walk away.
“Come here,” he said.
I turned around and looked at him as he sat behind his desk, staring at me with eyes that were pleading with me to come closer.
“Please.”
My face gave away a smile as I walked over to him and he stood up. He wrapped his arms around me and held me tightly as he sighed.
“I’m sorry too.”
“I don’t want any tension or bad feelings today. It’s Thanksgiving and I want it to be perfect,” I said.
“Me too,” he said as he broke our embrace. “I would like to go with you to see Stephen, if you don’t mind.” He smiled.
“I would like that.” I smiled back as I kissed the tip of his nose.
A couple of hours later, when we arrived home after our visit with Stephen, Ian poured me a glass of wine and we walked into the living room.
“I’m sorry, but I really hope your dad doesn’t show up. I’m nervous about seeing him.”
Ian let out a light chuckle. “Don’t be. I think after your little talk, he’s the one who’s nervous.”
The door opened and Andrew walked in. “Happy Thanksgiving!” he shouted.
My stomach dropped at the sound of his voice. He smiled as he walked over and hugged me. “You look gorgeous, Rory.”
“Thank you, Andrew.”
Ian and he shook hands before Andrew went over to the bar and poured himself a drink. I excused myself and went into the kitchen. A few moments later, Adalynn and Daniel strolled through the door.
“It smells amazing in here!” she exclaimed as she walked into the kitchen. “How are you, sweetie?” she asked as she gave me a light hug.
“I’m okay. Ian and I got into a huge fight last night after he came home. I let it slip that I was with you at the restaurant, and that I saw the women he was with.”
“Ouch. What did he say?”
“He pretty much told me it was none of my business and that we’re not a couple, so I need to stop acting like we are.”
“Bastard. Would you like me to castrate him for you?” She smiled.
“Thanks for the offer, but then I would suffer.” I winked.
We walked to the living room, where everyone was gathered around talking. The door opened and Richard and his date walked in. She was young, tall, toothpick thin, and she had burgundy hair. She went by the name of Arianna. Richard glared at me before introducing her.
“Ari, this is Rory. She’s Ian’s houseguest.”
“Hello.” She smiled as she lightly stuck out her hand.
Ian walked over to me and whispered, “Be nice. I guess he changed his mind.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Arianna. Happy Thanksgiving,” I said with the biggest fake smile I’ve ever displayed.
She giggled and Adalynn walked over and whispered in my ear, “Jesus. You have to be kidding me.”
Since we were in the company of guests, I decided that I would stay away from Ian so I didn’t embarrass him. Mandy walked into the room and announced that dinner was ready. Before we sat down, Daniel pulled me to the side and told me he was proposing to Adalynn tonight. He asked me if I could play the piano. I smiled and told him that I would be honored. I didn’t know quite where to sit at the table. I didn’t want to take the chance of stepping over any boundaries by sitting next to Ian. So, to make it less awkward, I went into the kitchen to get the bread I made.
“What are you doing in here?” Ian asked as he came up from behind.
“Just getting the cranberry nut bread.”
“Sweetheart, I have people who are serving. You don’t need to do that. Now, come on.” He smiled.
“But I want to. I made it and I want to put it on the table.”
“You’re too cute,” he said as he kissed me on lips.
We walked back to the dining room and Ian pulled out my chair. The chair that I always sat in for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The chair that sat by his.
“Thank you.” I smiled.
****
Dinner was amazing. Charles really outdid himself with the food. We gathered into the living room for drinks.
“Rory, Adalynn tells me you can play the piano,” Daniel said.
I knew that was my queue. “Yes, I can play.”
