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When they’d been dating, he thought, surprised she remembered.
She smiled at Judy. “Thank you for this. My family’s in for a treat.”
Reggie’s parents appeared and ushered everyone into the family room. Vince turned off the game and put on music, and Harrison dropped to the floor to play with Belle. Toby saw Reggie duck into the kitchen with the lefse and followed her.
“You were surprised,” he said, causing her to spin to face him.
“Yes. My mother said friends were coming over but didn’t say who. I assumed it was one of her ladies-who-lunch group or somebody who works for Dad at the auto shop. I wasn’t expecting you.”
“So, not a good surprise.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You don’t sound delighted.”
“Delighted? Really? Like I should squeal?”
He leaned against the counter and raised an eyebrow. “You squeal when you’re delighted? That’s kind of unfortunate.”
“Oh, please. I don’t squeal.” She took a step toward him. “At the risk of once again not sounding ‘delighted.’” She made air quotes. “How did this happen?”
Her hair curved just beneath her jaw and emphasized her large brown eyes. She had on dark jeans and a sweater that was yellow, red and orange—all the colors of fall. She looked good. Different than she had in high school, but still good.
“The invitation?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Your mother came by the store and asked if we’d like to come over for dinner.”
“My mother? That’s confusing. I didn’t know.”
“I got that.”
“Why did you say yes?”
An interesting question, he thought, not sure how to answer.
“It’s been just the three of us. We agreed joining a family would be a fun change.”
She didn’t look convinced, but then shrugged as if accepting the explanation.
“It’s always nice to have more people around the table,” she said. “Thank you for coming.”
He smiled. “Anytime.”
Her lips twitched. “I can’t imagine what you thought when my mother walked in and invited you to Thanksgiving dinner.”
“Yes, you can.”
She sighed. “Yes, I can. You thought it was me doing the asking.”
“It wasn’t.”
“No.”
“Awkward,” he said in a high-pitched, sing-song voice.
She laughed. “Yes, but I’m okay with it if you are.”
