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Da
“Last chance to back out,” she said, and he smiled.
“I’m all in,” he said, placing a reassuring hand on the small of her back, and she took a deep breath before she turned and opened the front door.
The sounds of talking and laughing instantly greeted them, immediately followed by the smell of Sarah’s lasagna.
Here we go, she thought just as her brother’s voice boomed through the house.
“Oh, you’ve got to be fucking kidding me! Somebody paid this ref off!”
She flinched and shook her head, looking up at Da
“Does he have a swear jar?” he asked.
Before she could answer, Sarah and Alexis came out of the kitchen.
“Hey guys!” Sarah said excitedly, taking the bottle of wine out of Leah’s hands. “Da
“Here, let me take that,” she said, reaching for the dessert box with the Giova
She turned and walked back toward the kitchen, and Alexis stepped forward, holding out her hand. “Hi, Da
Da
Leah removed her coat and Da
“A beer would be great, thanks,” he said, handing her his coat. Alexis smiled with a nod, turning toward Leah to take her coat. She made eye contact with her, raising one eyebrow before she continued toward the hall closet.
Leah turned to Da
He nodded. “If you are.”
She forced a smile and turned to walk toward the family room. Goddamn him, he was still the epitome of calm and collected. Meanwhile, her pulse was rushing in her ears as they approached the room.
As they reached the doorway, three heads turned to look at them simultaneously. Her father was sitting in his usual place in the recliner, and her brother was laid out across the couch, one hand behind his head. Kyle was on the love seat, one arm draped across the back and the other holding a bottle of beer on his knee.
“Hey, look who’s here!” Chris said, swinging his legs over the couch as he sat up, and her father shifted in his chair, gripping the sides as he pushed himself up to stand.
He walked toward them, glancing at Da
She nodded, taking a deep breath before he released her.
Chris and Da
“Da
Da
Leah watched her father carefully as he reached forward and clasped Da
“Good to meet you, Da
“Here you go,” Alexis said from behind them, and Leah turned to see her handing Da
“Where’s mine?” Chris said, and Alexis shrugged.
“My guess would be in the fridge.”
Da
Her father turned and walked back to the recliner. “Have a seat, Da
He took a few steps into the room, and Leah was about to follow just as Alexis said, “Hey, Leah? Sarah said she needs you in the kitchen.”
She glanced at Alexis before she turned to Da
“Beat it, mother hen,” Chris said casually, and she shot him a dirty look before turning her eyes to Da
“You okay in here?” she mouthed, and he nodded encouragingly.
“He’ll be fine,” Alexis said softly, wrapping her arm around Leah and guiding her to the kitchen.
As soon as they entered, Sarah handed her a glass of wine.
“Thanks,” she said, taking a long sip as she leaned up against the counter.
Alexis held up her hands. “Okay, I’m just go
“You should see him shirtless,” Sarah said, smirking at Leah over her wine glass before taking a sip.
“No way,” Alexis said as she fa
“I hate both of you,” Leah said, blushing crimson, and the girls laughed.
The three of them continued working on di
At that small token of approval, Leah felt some of the tension leave her shoulders, and she smiled to herself as she chopped up the vegetables for the salad.
A little while later, Alexis and Leah were dishing out the lasagna while Sarah called the boys in for di
The sound of laughing caught her attention, and Leah turned as Chris and Da
“Hi,” she said.
“Hi,” he said, tucking her hair behind her ear.
“Are you having fun?”
“I am. They’re great. And you look much better,” he said, wrapping his arms around her waist.
She brought her arms up, interlocking her fingers behind his neck. “I look better?”
“Yeah. You don’t look like you’re about to shit yourself anymore.”
She unlocked her hands from behind his neck and pushed him, and he laughed, pulling her into a hug. Leah rested her cheek against his chest and closed her eyes.
“Was I that obvious?” she mumbled.
“Just a little,” he said against the top of her head, kissing her there before letting her go.
Her father walked into the kitchen then, clapping Da
“It’ll happen,” Da
“What was that about?”
“We got a bet going on next week’s game. Me and your dad against Kyle and your brother.”
“Okay, but what does that have to do with the weather?”
“What?” he said through a laugh. “What are you talking about?”
“My dad just said a breeze better come through next week.”
Da
He leaned down and planted a soft kiss on her lips before he turned into the dining room, and she heard his laughter start back up again.
She shook her head, still confused as she finished cutting up the last of the garlic bread, and then she brought the tray into the dining room. As soon as she sat, she heard Chris chuckle softly before clearing his throat.
“So, Leah,” he said, “Do you want to get in on this wind bet? I’m go