So instead of replying with words, I close the space and hold his face in my hands as I kiss him.
I don’t even have the time to register the fact we’re in plain view of the kitchen where Melody and Sammy are dishing up pie until I hear what sounds like schoolgirls giggling in the background, followed by the stern sound of Melody shushing Sammy. Zack slowly breaks the kiss, but without turning around, speaks to his sister. I look over briefly and see Melody leave the kitchen. “Give us a few minutes Sammy.”
Unfortunately, knowing we’re being watched totally kills the mood for me, and I can’t help but laugh at his sister.
I kiss him one more time. I can’t help it. I feel like a hormonal teenager all over again when I am this close to Zack, and now that we’ve spent the last two days discovering each other, I can’t keep my hands off him. “What’s my surprise? You said it was after dinner.”
He looks at his watch and smiles, more to himself than to me. “It should be here any minute.”
When the doorbell rings a few minutes later, just like he said, I quickly look to Zack. He smiles knowingly and nods to Melody. I look between all of them. They clearly know something I don’t.
I jump up and gasp when I hear the trio of voices walk through the door. I don’t even have to see who’s arrived to know exactly who they are.
“You did this!?” I gasp excitedly.
“Happy Thanksgiving!” Mia, my mom, and dad throw me into a bone-crushing hug once they walk through the living room where I’m frozen to my spot. I am stunned in the best possible way.
“Hi!” I squeal like a little girl and return their embraces. And then I pull back to introduce Zack to my parents.
“You planned all of this?” A slight blush grows on his cheeks.
“Sort of…” he begins to explain, shrugging like this is no big deal.
“Oh please. He’s being modest, Nic. Chase invited me to the music awards with him. I was going to fly out Saturday morning, but when Zack heard about it, he changed the plan on me.”
I reach for Zack’s hand while Mia keeps talking, “He called your parents to see if they wanted to join you for Thanksgiving.”
I don’t even know how he got their number. From Mia? My phone? I am simply stunned he did this for me.
“And we said yes, immediately.” My mother chimes in. “It’s only for the day though, we fly the red-eye home tonight.” I look to Zack and then my parents. My mom has the biggest smile I’ve seen on her in years while my dad stands behind her with one hand on her shoulder. My eyes are pulled back to Zack who looks satisfied at his ability to surprise me. Again.
I pull him close to me, holding onto his shirt with both hands. “I can’t believe you did this.” My eyes fill with tears, overwhelmed at this man who so quickly came into my life and swept me off my feet.
“You’re about to be thrown into my crazy life this weekend where we’ll be photographed and gossiped about forever. I can’t take you there and not have you see your parents before so you can remember first, what’s always most important and real. No matter what else happens out there,” he waves his arm out gesturing to the world, “the only important thing to remember is how much everyone in this room loves you, and loves us. The rest just doesn’t matter.”
Mia clears her throat, rudely and intentionally, pulling us apart. “We’ve been on a plane for hours, I’m starving!” I grab Zack’s hand and practically skip to the dining room table where everyone else is seated.
And before I know it, both of our families are sitting around the Thanksgiving table enjoying pie and the leftover turkey dinner Melody had set aside for my parents when they cleared the table for us.
I have the absolute best time, watching everyone that is most important to me and Zack get along, share stories, and by the time dessert is done and everyone is hanging around outside on the patio, enjoying a couple of drinks, I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. And it’s all because of Zack.
I follow my mom inside when she excuses herself to use the restroom. On her way out, I stop her. She has always been a worrier, and she’s been