Page 161 of Come Back to Me

“Wow, that’s impressive. I know you’ve worked really hard to get to that point.”

“Mm-hm. I’m looking forward to getting out of Sunset Cove because I see my dad everywhere I go, and it doesn’t help with the healing process.”

“He’s always going to be a part of you. I’m sure he’s proud of you. Just like your Mom and Noah are proud of you, too.”

“Thank you for saying that. You’re sweet.” Lizzie stands by the screen door, watching Noah. “Hey, dipshit. Someone wants to say hi to you.”

“Hey.” Noah tries to get the Frisbee out of Sammy’s mouth, but the dog’s grip on it is too strong for him.

“I’ll see you back inside,” Lizzie says and leaves us alone.

When Noah finally gets the Frisbee, he comes back inside the back patio where I am with Sammy. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company, Violet?” He opens the sliding glass door, so Sammy can go inside.

“Lizzie told me about her job offer in Crescent Falls.”

“Yeah, I’m proud of her.”

“How could you not be?” I lean against the wall next to the sliding glass door. “Sometimes I wonder what my life would’ve been like if I had the dynamic you and Lizzie have with my brother, but I think going through all those things I went through with him made me stronger as a person.”

“I’ve told you this so many times, but you’re one of the strongest people I know. I’m going to be honest, I’m surprised you came given your situation with Grayson.”

If only you knew the half of it.

“Mm, yeah.”

I keep my answer as nonchalant as possible because we agreed we’d tell everybody together. It wouldn’t be fair if I toldhis best friend that his best friends are dating again. I want Noah to find out from the both of us.

All I know is I can’t wait to eat all this delicious food I’ve been smelling.

“Alright, everybody. Dinner is ready!” Laura raises her voice.

The majority of us have been hanging out and chatting with each other in the living room for the past few hours. Celia and Dana have been back and forth from the kitchen to the living room, helping Laura and Grayson with making dinner.

Glancing at the lockscreen on my phone, I read the time, which displays 6:15 p.m.

I make my way over to the dining room table along with Dani, Noah, and Lizzie.

“Is there assigned seating?” I ask Lizzie.

“No, you can sit wherever you want.”

Grayson comes out of the kitchen and sits down next to the head of the table, Laura. I decide to sit across from him on the other side of her. Noah and Dani sit across from each other, as do Dana and Celia. Lizzie sits next to Celia.

“Are you sure it’s a good idea for you two to sit across from each other?” Dani asks me, her face frozen.

“I think it’ll be fine,” I say.

“Well, I’d like to begin by saying thank you for coming tonight. I’m thankful for every single person sitting at this table. I’m very grateful to have crossed paths with all of you. I know if Ben and Jacob were here, they’d interrupt me by sharing really bad dad jokes.” Laura pauses, swallowing a lump down her throat.

Looking around the table, I notice how Dani, Noah, and Lizzie start to get teary-eyedwith somber smiles appearing on each of their faces.

Laura continues her speech. “We miss you and wish you were both here right now. It’s our first Thanksgiving without my husband, and it hasn’t been easy for me so far, but I know it’s going to be okay because I have all of you here with me. If it’s okay with you, I’d like to go around the table and say what each of us are thankful for.”

“Mom,” Noah says. “Can we not do this?”

“Oh, since you so graciously volunteered to go first, I’d love to hear who or what you’re thankful for, Noah Bear.” She smiles at him, showing her teeth off.

Noah grunts. “Okay. I’m thankful for my family, my friends, and my amazing girlfriend. I’m thankful to have a roof over my head and to have all this food in my mouth soon.” He surveys the table. “Who wants to go next?”