Sensing her gaze, Lester turned his head with a soft smile and pulled her in with an easy arm around her shoulders.

"Well, since everyone's here, let's all grab a seat."

Everyone nodded and began to settle at the table.

Sylvia quietly walked past Rupert, feeling all too aware of every step.

When it came time to sit, she hesitated, unsure where it was appropriate for her. Lester was now head of the family-his status basically equal to Rupert's-and the seats beside him were usually reserved for immediate family or elders.

She and Lester were only dating; it didn't feel right to take one of those spots.

As she wavered, an older relative who'd come along with Scott pointed to the empty seat next to Lester.

"Ms. Lloyd, you take this spot. I'm a bit on the hefty side-if I scoot down, I can snag a couple extra inches for myself." He patted his belly and grinned, his eyes crinkling warmly.

Sylvia hurriedly protested, "Oh, please, you should have it."

Lester gave her hand a tug, still smiling. "It's fine, sit here. My uncle's got doctor's orders-no wine, no cigars, and if he sits here, he'll be sneaking drinks all night."

The uncle chuckled. "You know me too well."

He promptly blocked Sylvia's way and plopped himself down on the far end, leaving the seat by Lester open.

and finally sat down next to Lester. To her surprise, she didn't feel nearly

this sort of thing didn't seem like a


such a good temperament, growing up

have triggered a whole lecture about manners and upbringing-not just directed at her,

scolding you, but the

etched into

Tristan said, the family

joking with Naomi when she'd first arrived at the Garcia house -Tristan was like some medieval king, and his stuffy uncles

the jokes, the Garcias were nothing if not fiercely loyal. That's why, after a century, their

the table went

Eventually the conversation

glasses clinking, dishes being passed around in the midst of it all Tristan raised his glass

wno

Scott. s

the figure. He paused then added, I have


spoke, Tristan shot a sidelong glance

were

Lester was being played

felt the eyes on her, her

something like this

Garcia

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