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I stroked my thumb along his gruffy, lumberjack beard. “Me too.”
He smiled brighter than the first time I agreed to date him that summer.
∞
Zander and I ate dinner with our parents every other Sunday. They were happy for us.
Gazing out the window, overlooking my parents pool. The sun light sparkled against the water. I smiled, reminiscing on all the times I tortured Zander.
“I always knew he was the one.”
My father fell at my side, gazing into the pool.
“Dad, you did not.”
“So many times, I’d catch him watching you. He’d smile. Not sure what he was thinking, but I witnessed the adoration he had for you. Then, all those times you two watched movies in the middle of the night in the theater room. He was happy just to be in your company. Sometimes I’d walk into the room and you’d both be fast asleep. Your head resting on his. You and Zander loved being together. He was your rock when your mother went through her battle with cancer. There’s no other man I’d rather see in your life.”
Tears slid down my cheeks and I wrapped myself in my father’s arms. “Thank you so much for never sending him away,” I sobbed.
“I love him so much. I always have.”
My father kissed my hair. “I know, darling.”
He held me tight.
~
The mansion roared with boisterous laughter and chatter. My grandparents in Dallas, Texas threw a Thanksgiving bash every year. I hadn’t been to many over the years. I spent Thanksgiving with Zander.
Lydia, Hayden, and I posed for a few pics. He adored his wife. My brother deserved happiness and so did I.
“Vicky come here a moment,” my father called.
“You guys come over and rescue me. I’m sure Dad will introduce me to someone boring.”
We laughed.
I knew better. There wasn’t anyone my dad would introduce me to. I needed to throw Hayden off my trail, just for a moment. It wasn’t uncommon for Zander to participate in our family functions. So, Hayden wouldn’t think it was suspicious he was there.
Stepping beside my dad, I smiled.
He grinned.
The music stopped. I peeked at the stage. Zander walked across, grabbing the mic.
“Good evening everyone. I’d like to thank the Gaster’s for allowing me to be a part of this family. I’ve frequented their home constantly since I was ten. I’ll never forget running behind Hayden up the stairs. I heard a beautiful laugh that stopped me in my tracks. I peeked into her bedroom and I swear I stopped breathing. I was in love. That love never wavered over the years. Not sure how I’d show her she belonged with me, but I was always there. Anytime she needed to talk.”
My brother fell at my side, seething.
I returned my attention to Zander.
“Vicky agreed to date me the summer before I went off to college. I worked hard to keep a smile on her face.”
His face lit up. “It worked. We hit huge bumps along the way. But we survived as a couple. Yes, we’ve been in a relationship for years.”
Guests gasped around the room. Valen appeared and gripped my brother’s arm. He shook his head.
Hayden glared at me. “How could you, Vicky?”
