Chapter 148

Sitting in the den, full of turkey, surrounded by most of my family—my dad and my brothers, Mel, Amelia, and Luke, and Tyler and Ashley, Mel’s cousin and sister who’ve become as much a part of our family as she has—I should feel nothing but joy. So why is that not the case? I’ve spent every Thanksgiving of my life with my family, and Amber hasn’t been to a Thanksgiving here in well over a decade. So why the fuck does it bother me that she’s once again spending the holiday with her friends instead of me? I don’t understand why I miss her so much. Why I can’t stop thinking about her. When we went around the table and shared what we were thankful for at dinner, I gave my usual answer—my family. In my mind, that’s always included her, but tonight, she was the first person who popped into my head. I am most thankful for this second chance we’re getting, no matter how long it lasts. But I couldn’t say that aloud. Nathan hands me a Scotch. “At least we don’t have to worry that Amber might sho