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“Would you stop embarrassing yourself? He’s obviously not interested,” Chad growls.
My brows lower into a frown. Chad never cared when Devon flirted with guys before. She’s known for overdoing it and embarrassing herself, but he’s always laughed about it and ignored her. What’s changed? Why does it bother him now? He used to find it amusing.
“You don’t know that,” she singsongs.
“I'm not,” Nixon deadpans, taking the seat next to me.
“Ok…” Dad stares at me with wide eyes. “How about we say grace, then we can dig in.”
He holds his hands out to me and Devon. She shoots me a bemused expression. I motion for her to take his hand. Maybe it was a mistake bringing them home with me. I should’ve known better. I’ve made it a point to never bring Devon anywhere important. I don’t know why I thought bringing her into my family was a great idea.
Chad and Nixon take Mom’s hand. I freeze when I realize I'm going to have to grasp Nixon’s. He holds out a hand, waiting for me to take it. Slowly, I slide mine into his. Tingles immediately shoot up my arm and spread through my body. It’s like electricity is pulsing within me, I’ve never felt anything like it before.
It takes everything in me to not jump back, severing the connection we have. Nixon intertwines our fingers, giving my hand a squeeze.
“Lord, bless the family around us and the food you’ve provided. Thank you for letting us gather together and help us remember all of the things we’re thankful for. The things you have given us. We praise you and thank you, amen,” Dad says, dropping my hand.
I try to pull out of Nixon’s grasp, but he keeps a tight hold on me.
“Let go,” I hiss under my breath.
His lips quirk up on one side before he releases me.
“Let me serve you. I'm assuming you want a little of everything.” Nixon holds out a hand for my plate.
“I want a lot of everything. I’ve been at college for months, I don’t get home-cooked meals.”
“Well, it’s not because you don’t know how to cook,” Mom huffs like I just insulted her.
“You’re right. I just don’t have the time.”
“All Savannah does is study, study, and study some more. Most of the time she doesn’t even have time for me.” Chad frowns.
I scowl at him, but don’t say a word. I refuse to apologize for putting my schooling and future before him.
“Well, I for one am happy Sav’s putting school first. She’s a smart girl, I couldn’t be prouder.” Dad beams over at me.
“Thanks, Dad.” I squeeze his hand before I take my first bite, piling chicken, sauce, and pasta onto my fork all at once. “Oh, wow. Holy crap,” I mutter around the food.
“Are you ok?” Nixon eyes me with amusement.
Finishing my bite, I swallow before turning my full attention to him. I smack him in the stomach with the back of my hand.
“You ass, you never told me you could cook like this!”
“Ow, Savvy!” He chuckles, blocking me from hitting him again. “I didn’t know I could cook! This was my first try.”
“Wait… seriously?” My jaw practically drops to the floor.
“Yes. I wanted to make you dinner. I picked your favorite.”
“Aww, isn’t that cute,” Chad growls.
“I thought it was adorable.” Mom beams from the head of the table.
“Tell me, Nixon,” Chad spits his name. “How long have you and Savannah known each other?”
“Well, she’s twenty-two, so that means… twenty-two years. She was born right after I turned two. Our moms were friends and we lived across the street from each other. We were inseparable.”
