AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Do you have a plate, Emily?” I ask, drawing her attention back to me.
She turns away from Rhett, and responds without falter. “Rhett got a plate for me. I’m just waiting for a big, juicy piece of his meat.” Her eyes slide up and down his body, but he doesn’t seem to notice. “He’s working on it, but it’shard.”
My jaw drops. Is she fucking with me?
I struggle to find words, but I finally say, “I’ve been making sure his meat has stayed wet all day, so I’m sure any piece will do.”
Her face falls flat, and I can tell Rhett has taken my hint when he throws a piece of turkey down on her plate, immediately going back to carving the rest of the turkey.
Everyone piles heaps of food on their plates, and then we head to the table, which I spent entirely too much time setting. I broke out the fancy china and napkins for the occasion, just like I do every year that it’s my turn to host Friendsgiving. My great grandma gave me her Thanksgiving and Christmas china before she passed, and I swore to her that I’d put them to use as much as possible.
We each take a seat at the table, and it doesn’t slip by me when Emily sits on the other side of Rhett, scooting her chair a few inches closer to him.
Sloan notices this time, and we exchange glances. Even she’s annoyed with Emily.
“Wine?” I ask the entire table, picking up a bottle of my favorite moscato and waving it. “It’s sweet.”
“Do you have any red?” Emily asks before anyone can respond. “I only drink red.”
Rhett pushes his chair back and stands, turning toward the kitchen. “I think I saw some in the pantry. Let me grab it for you.”
Emily flutters her eyes at him, clasping her hands together. “Thank you SO much.”
He gives her an awkward nod, then disappears into the kitchen.
“I’ll take some, please,” Amaya smiles as she holds her wine glass up for me.
I twist the top off the bottle, then pour a generous amount of wine inside her glass.
“Thank you,” she says, immediately bringing it to her lips and swallowing a big mouthful.
“Me too,” Sloan says, but instead of pouring hers, I just hand her the bottle. She’ll probably pour some for Alex too.
Looking around the table, everyone is smiling and happy. Amaya and Jason are lost in conversation with Sloan while she pours the wine into each of their glasses, going on and on about the latest gossip at work. She looks so happy surrounded by her closest friends.
I knowI’mher best friend, but she has so many other people in her circle. My heart feels content knowing she won’t be completely alone without me. She’ll be okay, and now she has Alex too.
“Will this do?” Rhett asks Emily when he returns from the pantry, holding out a bottle of red wine I’ve had sitting in the back corner of my pantry forever. “I grabbed a corkscrew for you, too.”
“Yes!” she gasps, far too excited for my liking. “This is perfect. Thank you, Rhett.”
Rhett gives me a quick glance as he sits between us, then picks up his fork, shoveling a mountain of mashed potatoes inside his mouth.
Emily pops the cork, then pours herself a heaping glass of wine. She guzzles it down instantly, then refills her glass. I breathe out, trying to contain my emotions before I get petty. This is going to be a long evening with Emily. I’m exhausted and not in the mood for this.
“Mmm,” Emily moans as she finishes her second glass, immediately pouring herself a third. “This issorefreshing.”
We’re all sitting here, frozen in place as we watch her blatantly act out. She’s acting like a fucking child.
Her hand falls to Rhett’s hand, and then slides up his forearm. She’s leaning into him as he’s eating, but he’s ignoring her for the most part. I pick up my fork, and everyone else follows.
“Happy Friendsgiving,” I say, raising a forkful of gravy-smothered turkey to everyone.
“Happy Friendsgiving,” everyone except Emily cheers, and then we feast.
Chapter Twenty
RHETT
