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However, Charli also knew her sister, and she was quite sure that Skylar wouldn’t ghost the man without good reason. Which made her wonder what had happened.
The conversations she’d had with Skylar over the past month had been vague when it came to Adrian, but maybe it was time for Charli to push for answers. She resolved to call her soon and not let her get away without sharing what was going on.
As they gathered around the table once it was loaded with food, Charli couldn’t help but wonder how things were going for Blake and Amelia. Though she didn’t want to lose Blake to his family permanently, for his sake and Amelia’s too, she hoped that things were going well.
Amelia was the most important thing in Blake’s life, and Charli knew that if the little girl was struggling, he’d stress over it. Charli didn’t want that for either of them. She really hoped that Blake called or texted so that she’d know for sure that they were okay.
The Thanksgiving dinner was noisy and a bit out of control, but that was usual for their family gatherings. The best part of the chaotic atmosphere that day was that her distraction didn’t draw undue attention.
While there were times Charli had wished for a smaller, calmer family, when she was lost in her thoughts, she was glad that she could hide within the chaos. She also avoided conversation by diving in to help clean up once the meal was over.
The only time she was forced to talk was when they’d all gathered in the living room, sitting wherever they could find free space, and their dad had started off their annual “What I’m thankful for” time of sharing. Knowing that it was coming, Charli had rehearsed what she’d planned to say, and she was sure she wasn’t the only one who had done that.
“I’m thankful most of all for Layla.” She gave her daughter a smile. “But I’m also thankful for my students and the great year we’re having.”
She was also thankful for Blake and Amelia, but she kept that to herself. Hopefully next year she’d be able to share that with everyone.
There were still a few hurdles to overcome on the way to them finding happiness together. But she was hopeful that this time, they’d be able to achieve what they hadn’t been able to before.
Her feelings for Blake were growing at an alarming rate, and she wasn’t even trying to keep them shoved down anymore. There would definitely be a lot of hurt if things didn’t work out.
Charli could pretty much predict what each of her family members were thankful for, and people had learned not to prattle on and on during this time. Even the newest members kept their sharing to a couple of minutes each.
When everyone was done, their mom and dad spent a few minutes praying for all of them. There was comfort and security in the traditions her family practiced, and Charli wished she could share them with Blake and Amelia. Jackson and his family probably had traditions too, but she wasn’t sure if Blake had established any with Amelia yet.
With Blake and Amelia in her thoughts again, Charli pulled out her phone. She tried not to be disappointed when there was no message, but it was hard when she was already missing Blake so much. Too much.
Gareth and Aria were the first to leave when Timothy began to fuss. It wasn’t long after they’d left that Ciara threw a tantrum, letting everyone know it was past her bedtime, which meant Jay and Misha were the next to head out with the kids.
Knowing Layla wouldn’t want to stay once Peyton had left, Charli also prepared to leave. She and Layla hugged everyone who was still there, then left the big house.
“Do you think Amelia is having a good time?” Layla asked when they were on the road home. “She didn’t want to go.”
Charli wasn’t surprised to hear that. “I hope she is. She’s meeting her cousins for the first time, and I’m sure they’ll be nice to her.”
Charli didn’t actually feel as confident about that as she was leading Layla to believe.
“I wish I could talk to her,” Layla said. “Just to make sure she’s okay.”
“I don’t know what their schedule is like, but if Blake messages me about her, I’ll see if you can.”
“I hope he messages you.”
That made two of them.
Once at the house, Layla ran off to change into her pajamas, while Charli followed a little more slowly, taking a detour through the kitchen to put away the leftovers her mom had sent home with them.
“I get to stay up late, right?” Layla asked when Charli found her in her room.
“Yep. Ten-thirty, but you have to stay in bed,” Charli told her. “Go brush your teeth. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
While Layla finished getting ready for bed, Charli went to get changed as well. As the minutes ticked past nine o’clock, a knot of anticipation tightened in her stomach.
She was glad for the distraction of Layla’s bedtime routine. After saying her prayers and tucking her in, Charli left her daughter with her nose in a book and returned to her room.
Any other night, she might have gone to see if Janessa was around to chat, but Charli stayed in her room. Just in case.
When ten o’clock came and went without a text or a call, disappointment replaced her anticipation.
