Spellbound

Original Edition: Twenty-Six

I locked the gate to the front desk and took one final look at the lobby. Things at the Reynard were quiet today, but that was typical for Thanksgiving. It was a perfect metaphor for my life when it came to this holiday. The year I turned sixteen, my parents created a new Fox tradition—every year they went on a cruise and my siblings and I were left to fend for ourselves. For me, that meant many Thanksgivings in a big empty house.

This year was going to be different. I had my own space and a gigantic table just waiting to hold a turkey with all the trimmings. I wanted to celebrate the holiday like I saw families do on television. I longed for the laughter and the moment before we ate where we voiced the things we were thankful for in the past year. I was throwing my very own Friendsgiving.

The get together was supposed to consist of Hunter, Caden, Larry, and Lloyd. I thought the small gathering would deter Archer from coming around for a night, especially with my brother in attendance. The two still hadn't met, and honestly at this point, I very much wanted to keep it that way.

But it backfired...majorly.

Archer went as far as devising an entire secret identity—the handsome doctor I was dating from Providence. He was insistent that he help me with the preparations, sighting his extraordinary culinary skills as reason enough to let him come. So as I was closing up for the day, he was entertaining my guests in my suite.

I was pretty sure Larry and Lloyd wouldn't give him away, considering they hadn't had a conversation with him, nor had they seen him much in recent years. And if they did spill the beans...well, I guess that wouldn't be the end of the world. It's not like he and I have a future anyway.

I trudged up the staircase to the second floor and a haunting melody floated toward me from the piano in the drawing room. My curiosity got the better of me; I needed to see who had created such a devastatingly beautiful song. With ginger steps, I made my way across the wooden planks and stopped short of the open French doors.

Even though I couldn't see his face, the tousled dark hair and t-shirt stretched over broad shoulders were a dead giveaway.

Soren.

I didn't want to interrupt his playing. The music was magical, and I felt like if I stopped him, it would break the spell. The way his fingers danced across the keys, the dip of his head as he focused on the notes, the melody filling me like butterflies in the pit of my stomach...everything about the scene was as though I'd been meant to stumble upon it.

When I sensed the song was coming to an end, I approached the piano and slid onto the bench next to him, our thighs brushing each other as I leaned into him and whispered, "That was beautiful."

Soren tucked his lips between his teeth and studied the piano keys. He nodded his appreciation and said, "Aren't you supposed to be hosting a party right now? My brother made a big show of hauling a big ass turkey and every single ingredient for side dishes in our pantry to your place."

I shrugged and nudged him with my elbow. "I mean, I am, but the food probably isn't ready, and who am I to interrupt your brother's show?" I cleared my throat and turned my whole body toward him. "What are you doing for dinner?"

"I have some pizza from last night waiting for me."

I scoffed and shook my head. "Not today you don't," I said, grabbing his wrist and tugging him to his feet. "You're coming to my Friendsgiving."

"Gemma, I can't. If Larry and Lloyd see me..."

"Come on; I love those two, but they are pretty clueless when it comes to you guys. They believe you exist, but that's about the extent of it. Not to mention, they're seeing Archer; what difference does it make if they see you too? Plus, your brother already came up with an elaborate story, we can just add you into it."