“I have to go,” Anne said, getting up.
“Free as a bird, huh, Anne? I have to be here, you know, for my son. Or I would have flown to Hawaii. When you have kids, you’ll understand. You should do something about it, you know. You’re not getting younger.”
Avery always knew how to pack a punch and aim it at the soft underbelly. She could imagine why Noah didn’t want to come. At that moment, she almost wanted to shout into her face that she and Finn were together, but she knew better. It wasn’t Avery she was concerned for; it was everyone else.
“Happy Thanksgiving, Avery,” she said as she started heading for the kitchen. She peeked inside. “Bye, everyone. Happy Thanksgiving. Mom, Dad, I have to go.”
“No, don’t go. Can’t we persuade you to stay?” Linda rushed over to her. She grabbed her wrists and pulled her into the kitchen.
“Mom …” The guilt. The guilt would be her undoing. It always was.
“Look at this bird,” Fernando said. He and Bert were busy with it. “It’s a ten-pounder, and your dad was in charge of the sauce, so you know it’s going to be great.”
“I didn’t bring anything,” she tried.
“Look at all this food!” Darian said, holding the fridge door open. There’s enough for an army. We can wrap some for your food rounds, too.”
Kill me now.
“I really—”
“Look, she’s softening already,” Linda said, wrapping her arm around her waist fondly. “Come on, call your friend and tell her you’ll drop by tomorrow. She’ll understand. It’s family.”
“I think we can persuade her,” Darian said, joining Linda.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Fuck. It had to be Max, which meant that Finn was heading to her house. And she wasn’t sure she could face Max.
Darian shot toward the front door, which was right by the kitchen. Linda followed, still holding Anne’s wrist and making her stand behind her.
Darian opened the door.
It wasn’t just Max.
Finn stood next to him, his head lowered as he looked at his cellphone. She knew just then that he was reading her texts.
When he raised his face, and their eyes met, she saw the shock playing on his features.
“Sweetheart,” Darian squealed, enveloping Max in her arms. “Come on in. Finn, you, too.”
“I just dropped … I can’t …” he stuttered.
“Where are you going to go from here? Your mother is in Florida. She called to wish me Happy Thanksgiving, so you’re going to be home alone,” Darian said, putting her free hand on Finn’s arm in an effort to drag him in. “Why don’t you come in and join us? Look who’s here! Anne’s here, and Avery won’t mind, and we know Max would love for you to stay for dinner.”
“I have plans,” he said, but no one except Anne listened.
The sound of the commotion at the front door must have drawn Avery from the living room.
“Avery, you wouldn’t mind if Finn stayed for dinner, right?” her mother asked. “Max would love having all his family here, especially since his cousins aren’t here.”
Guilting Avery didn’t usually work, but Anne was impressed with her aunt’s effort.
“Sure. Hey, Finn,” Avery said flatly. “Max.” She hugged her son.
“Hey, Mom,” Max said, hugging her back. He then looked at Finn. “Dad, please stay.” His voice was urgent.
Anne stood aghast. This was not good. Fuck good. This was a nightmare.
Finn moved his eyes from his son to her. The look in them was pleading, as if he begged her to ... what? There was nothing either of them could do.