I locked the gate to the front desk and took one final look at the lobby. Things at the Reynard were quiet today, but that was typical for Thanksgiving. It was a perfect metaphor for my life when it came to this holiday. The year I turned sixteen, my parents created a new Fox tradition—every year they went on a cruise and my siblings and I were left to fend for ourselves. For me, that meant many Thanksgivings in a big empty house.

This year was going to be different. I had my own space and a gigantic table just waiting to hold a turkey with all the trimmings. I wanted to celebrate the holiday like I saw families do on television. I longed for the laughter and the moment before we ate where we voiced the things we were thankful for in the past year. I was throwing my very own Friendsgiving.

The get together was supposed to consist of Hunter, Caden, Larry, and Lloyd. I thought the small gathering would deter Archer from coming around for a night, especially with my brother in attendance. The two still hadn't met, and honestly at this point, I very much wanted to keep it that way.

But it backfired...majorly.

Archer went as far as devising an entire secret identity—the handsome doctor I was dating from Providence. He was insistent that he help me with the preparations, sighting his extraordinary culinary skills as reason enough to let him come. So as I was closing up for the day, he was entertaining my guests in my suite.

I was pretty sure Larry and Lloyd wouldn't give him away, considering they hadn't had a conversation with him, nor had they seen him much in recent years. And if they did spill the beans...well, I guess that wouldn't be the end of the world. It's not like he and I have a future anyway.

I trudged up the staircase to the second floor and a haunting melody floated toward me from the piano in the drawing room. My curiosity got the better of me; I needed to see who had created such a devastatingly beautiful song. With ginger steps, I made my way across the wooden planks and stopped short of the open French doors.

Even though I couldn't see his face, the tousled dark hair and t-shirt stretched over broad shoulders were a dead giveaway.

Soren.

I didn't want to interrupt his playing. The music was magical, and I felt like if I stopped him, it would break the spell. The way his fingers danced across the keys, the dip of his head as he focused on the notes, the melody filling me like butterflies in the pit of my stomach...everything about the scene was as though I'd been meant to stumble upon it.

When I sensed the song was coming to an end, I approached the piano and slid onto the bench next to him, our thighs brushing each other as I leaned into him and whispered, "That was beautiful."

Soren tucked his lips between his teeth and studied the piano keys. He nodded his appreciation and said, "Aren't you supposed to be hosting a party right now? My brother made a big show of hauling a big ass turkey and every single ingredient for side dishes in our pantry to your place."

I shrugged and nudged him with my elbow. "I mean, I am, but the food probably isn't ready, and who am I to interrupt your brother's show?" I cleared my throat and turned my whole body toward him. "What are you doing for dinner?"

"I have some pizza from last night waiting for me."

I scoffed and shook my head. "Not today you don't," I said, grabbing his wrist and tugging him to his feet. "You're coming to my Friendsgiving."

"Gemma, I can't. If Larry and Lloyd see me..."

"Come on; I love those two, but they are pretty clueless when it comes to you guys. They believe you exist, but that's about the extent of it. Not to mention, they're seeing Archer; what difference does it make if they see you too? Plus, your brother already came up with an elaborate story, we can just add you into it."

"Archer isn't going to appreciate me crashing his time with you."

"Seriously, it isn't that big of a deal. And besides, when is the last time you had a big family Thanksgiving?"

"Never."

I scrunched my nose at my blunder.

"Don't make that face. Thanksgivings were fine with me, Arch, and Hazel."

My heart constricted in my chest. They may not have had the picturesque Thanksgiving, but it sounded perfect to me. The twins had the best company and Hazel was one hell of a cook. I'm sure they ate, drank, and laughed the entire night. I would have taken their small family meal any day.

My voice felt thick in my throat as I said, "I wasn't making that face at you. It was a stupid question, and I'm sorry for speaking without thinking. I wish I could have been there with you guys." The guilt I felt for abandoning Hazel flared, and tears sprang to my eyes. I wanted to somehow make up for my absence.

Not just on Thanksgiving, but for all those times Hazel had needed me.

"You would have been a welcomed addition to our small dinner." My chin trembled at that, and Soren leaned forward, his forehead crinkled with concern. "Gemma?"

I shook my head and batted the tears from my eyes.

"Tell me what you're thinking; what has you so upset?"

I took a moment to gather my thoughts before speaking. "I just feel so fucking guilty for not being here more for Hazel. Not just for holidays, but for..." My voice cracked, tears spilling over my cheeks. I didn't even bother to wipe them away. The question I both needed and dreaded the answer to fell from my lips in a broken whisper. "Did she die alone, Soren?"

His lips parted and his blue eyes filled with compassion. "No, Gemma, she didn't die alone. Archer and I were there with her. We sat day and night at her bedside and held her hands. It was fast and peaceful." He hooked his finger under my chin and lifted my tear-streaked face. "Her intentions were clear: She didn't want you to know about her illness until it was almost time. She didn't want you to see her like that. She loved you until the end."

The relief that flooded my veins was insurmountable, and the gratitude I felt toward Soren for easing my mind couldn't be expressed in words, but I had to try to show him somehow.

"Thank you, Soren. You have no idea what that means to me." I wiped my eyes and cheeks with the heels of my hands and asked again, "Come to dinner. Please? I want you to be there; don't throw away the tradition you all had for so many years just because she isn't here...or because you don't want Archer to get pissy," I added with a smirk.

"I have a feeling that I really don't have a choice." One side of his mouth tipped up and he shot me a playful glance.

I grinned and bumped him with my hip. "You catch on fast. Let's go."

When we reached my suite, we glanced at each other and laughed when we both took a deep breath. "He's your brother," I whispered. "He can't be too mad."

"Wanna bet?" he hissed, but I was already opening the door.

"Hey, guys!" I called cheerily, kicking off my shoes and walking into the dining area, inhaling deeply. "It smells delicious." I smiled at my guests as I passed, making my way to the kitchen.

Archer wiped his hands on a dishtowel and a grin stretched across his face. He closed the space between us and leaned down for a kiss. I made it quick, just a barely-there touch. "You will never go hungry in any way with me around," he whispered.

My skin crawled, but I forced a smile. All I could think of every time he touched me or said something nice to me were the cruel words that left his mouth in the hallway that day: Her broken heart will be collateral damage.

I swallowed, brushing off the sexual innuendo and jerked my chin in the direction of the dining room table. "I brought one more guest."

"Who would that be?" he asked, looking over my shoulder.

"Your brother."

Soren wore the cheesiest smile as he opened his arms wide. "Surprise. I caught a red-eye flight here from Frankfurt." Chewing my lip, I bit back a grin.

Larry turned around on the couch where he was watching the football game with Lloyd. "Really? I spent three years at Wiesbaden." He heaved himself out of the cushion and made his way toward us. "I enjoyed my time there. Are you in the military?"

I could practically see the wheels turning in Larry's head; seeing the two of them together was too obvious to ignore, but it appeared as if he were going to play along.

I smirked at Soren and rolled my wrist, gesturing for him to continue with his story.

"Well, I'm dating a girl."

Everyone went silent, waiting for him to continue in detail.

"She um...does some kind of a...talking on the phone."

The excitement in Larry's eyes faded, and something else took residence on his face. His eyes squinted as if he were deep in thought while he mindlessly said, "She's in communications?"

Soren clapped his hands together and pointed his fingers. "That's it, communications."

"I'm taking it you didn't spend a lot of time talking to the girl while you were there."

"No. We were busy, ya know, doing...stuff."

Archer crossed his arms and mumbled to me, "He is the world's worst liar. Hazel always said he couldn't lie his way out of a paper bag."

Even more evidence that you've been up to no good; he's said so all along. I pushed my way around Archer and whispered, "Be nice. It's Thanksgiving." I clapped my hands together before addressing the group. "Is everyone ready to eat?"

Luckily, the food was ready, and all that needed to happen now was to gather around the table and sit in such a way that no one would end up with a black eye. I tried to keep Hunter away from Archer, Archer away from Soren, and me somewhere in the middle. It took some smooth finagling, but I made it work.

As we ate, I looked around the table. I didn't miss the exchanged glances between Larry and Lloyd as they continued to examine the brothers. I was sure they had it figured out. After all, they had decades of run-ins with them and had to have an inkling of who they were even if they never exchanged words. These two men had indirectly helped Hazel care for the Hydes.

And despite my fear that this could go terribly wrong, I felt a warmth spreading through my veins. Whatever was going on with Archer aside, I really was grateful to have these people in my life, helping me keep this place afloat.

"Let's go around the table and tell what we're thankful for this year," I suggested. "Lloyd, would you like to start?"

"Yes, ma'am. I'm grateful to be working here and to be sharing this delicious meal with all you fine folks. It feels like I've known some of you for the better part of my life."

That confirmed it. Lloyd and Larry understood who Archer and Soren were and they were grateful to share a meal with them.

"Here, here," Hunter said, raising his wine glass. He took a sip and said, "I'm grateful business is doing well and that I get to look forward to another year with my best friend." My brother squeezed Caden's hand, and they shared a sweet kiss.

"Soren?" I prompted.

He swirled the wine around in his glass and the table went silent. "I'm grateful for the time we get to spend with those we love, even if it feels too short."

"I feel the same," Larry chimed in. "Here's to Hazel. I know we all miss that girl."

"To Hazel," everyone repeated.

Archer cleared his throat, and I bit the inside of my cheek, anticipating the newest round of bullshit. "I'm grateful for Gemma." He met the gaze of every person around the table as he said, "The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds." Finally, he locked eyes with me. "That's how I feeI about what you've given me. I love you, Gemma."

Anger bubbled up inside me as I replayed the conversation I'd heard in the stairwell compared with that ostentatious declaration of love. Just a few weeks ago, this would have made me weak in the knees and melted my heart. Right now, though, I was disgusted. This was one hundred percent a bald-faced lie. How dare he sit here and declare his love for me in front of God and everybody when I knew exactly how he felt about me.

Next to me, Hunter covered his face with his hand and slithered down in his seat. I narrowed my eyes, and he mumbled, "Trevor used to roast the shit out of me for watching The Notebook over and over." He cut his eyes to the floor and muttered, "I still love Ryan Gosling."

I furrowed my brows and curled my lip. "What in the hell does that have to do with—" I stopped mid-sentence and clenched my jaw.

Not only did Archer sit there and falsely declare his love for me, but he did it with a plagiarized speech.

I couldn't take it another second. The act had to stop. I knew I should control myself, not do this in front of my employees and our brothers, but I felt the words rising in my chest like a tidal wave that could not be contained.

Archer sat watching me with cocked eyebrows, and I knew what he expected me to do—fawn all over him and tell him I loved him too.

Not today.

"How dare you?" I hissed, trying my hardest to keep my rage from boiling over.

"I—I'm sorry. I just couldn't find the right words and they were so perfect. And damn, I feel like a fool." He bowed his head like he really regretted using the words Noah had said about Allie.

But I knew he had no qualms about lying to me about his feelings.

I shook my head and pushed away from the table, nearly kicking the chair over as I stood and paced behind my brother, everyone's eyes on me.

"You know what, Archer? That's irrelevant. In fact, if I thought you really loved me or even gave a shit about me, using those words would've been charming. You would've swept me off my feet, and we'd probably be kicking every one of our guests out as soon as politely possible. But you don't." He opened his mouth to speak, but I held up my palm. "No. I'm talking now, and you're going to listen. I'm aware that I'm a 'nice girl,' and that everything with us 'fits so perfectly,' but I'm not going to be your plaything for one more moment, Archer Hyde. And mark my words, I have not fallen in love with you, so whatever plan you had, you can just put a pin in it because I am out. Fuck you, Archer."

"Gemma," Archer said, getting to his feet and moving toward me. He didn't get far.

Soren grabbed his arm. "Let it go, Arch."

Jerking his arm out of Soren's grasp, he stepped toward me again, saying, "No, I won't let it go."

I gripped the back of Hunter's chair so hard my knuckles turned white, and I had no words left to give him. Not in front of everyone.

With a sigh, Soren stood behind his brother and placed his hands on his shoulders. "Thank you all for a lovely evening. I apologize on behalf of my brother and hope you enjoy the rest of your meal." Soren pushed Archer toward the door, but his twin turned on him and shoved him back.

"Gemma, please let me explain," he said, sidestepping Soren.

Hunter stood up and moved in front of me. "Dude, I think she wants you to leave, and I am of the same opinion at this point."

I looked around the room at my horrified guests, and I figured I owed it to them to finish this business in private. "No, Hunter. It's okay." I crossed the room to where Archer and Soren stood. Archer jerked his arm out of his brother's grasp and followed me into my bedroom. I slammed the door and leaned against it with my arms crossed over my chest.

"You have two minutes."