Ariella never saw Mike like a brother; she only loved his goofball personality and flair for creativity. Mike never dreamed that bubbly and fierce Ariella would be interested in him. Once she confesses she's crushed on him for years, Mike staunchly...
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Thanksgiving week is one of my favorites. Everybody except Mom is excited about a break and we have a blast. My parents host family, friends, and what my dad lovingly calls strays, and eventually my mom's exuberant nerves deescalate from a level eight to four.
This year is different. Nick brought a girl home, and Mike might've almost kissed me last night. Or maybe he was just being goofy. Jury's still out.
Little bubbles simmer in my stomach as I skim my closet. Not sure what to wear to breakfast. Why do I care what I wear to breakfast?
Warm butter and coffee smells, and sounds of lighthearted chatter fill the space as I enter the kitchen. Soft white sunshine filters through the open blinds on the east windows.
Dad holds court at the white wooden breakfast nook with Nick while Mom leans over the counter, cupping her chin and talking with Sierra while she flips a pancake at the griddle.
My brother looks up from his phone resting on the table and a smile takes over his face. "Good morning, Short Stack."
Nick looks so happy. So relaxed. A heck of a lot different than how he came home at the beginning of the summer.
Bedraggled Nick dragged himself home and disappeared into his room for two days straight, but he eventually got it together, and we had a great summer together. This Nick has a glow that seems to shine from deep in his soul. He smiles all of the time like he has a great secret he's bursting to share.
"Good morning," I say groggily, pausing next to him to wrap my arms around his shoulders. He gives me a good squeeze while Dad sips his coffee
"My turn," Dad says, holding out an arm.
I curl into his embrace, murmuring, "Hi, Daddy."
"Morning, honey. I got you some hazelnut creamer this morning."
"Mmm, thanks very much. I love you."
I pause to kiss my mom's cheek while shuffling toward the promise of a caffeine jumpstart and exaggeratedly inhale. "Ahh, smells like heaven."
Sierra smiles, watches the griddle, then focuses on me with a nervous chuckle. "Hi."
"How'd you sleep?"
"Good! How about you?"
I make a face while reaching for my favorite kitschy mug covered in llamas and donuts. It clatters against another mug while I stand on my tip toes and draw it over the wooden cabinet. "So-so. Aha, gotcha." I put my heels back on the ground and turn toward her again. "So! What are you guys doing today?"
Breakfast slips past, and I try not to bristle when shirtless Luke and Mike emerge. "Hey!" I swat at Mike's hand as he snags a piece of perfectly greasy bacon from my plate. "Get your own, Michael."
"But I'm certain yours tastes better, Ariella."
Nick and Sierra disappear to take a walk, Dad clears dishes, and Mom disappears to change into her warrior cooking uniform. Dad kisses the top of my head where I nurse a third cup of coffee at the marble counter, daydreaming about last night.
