"Come home with me."
"Come home with you? Now?"
"No, Thursday. Come to Thanksgiving with me. At my parents'. Unless you'd rather go to Jean's?"
"I'd rather be with you," I answer easily.
Luke leaves after that while Everly mutters, "Shiny new pussy," under her breath.
Chapter 18
We take the expressway to Gladwyne, a short twenty-minute drive in light Thanksgiving Day traffic. We pass one magnificent house after another before Luke turns onto Monk Road. Stopping at a gated driveway, he punches in a code before the gates swing open. We continue up the long drive and arrive at an enormous stone house. The landscaping is meticulous, even in November. Luke pulls into a circular drive leading to the front door and parks. There are several other cars as well, but I don't see a garage. I'm guessing that is around the side or in back.
"You grew up here?" I ask.
Luke glances briefly at the house. "Yes."
"Do you think they will like me?" I ask, nervous. I don't know Luke that well yet. I haven't met anyone in his life except Gina. And technically, I haven't met Gina. I don't think her disparaging me across the counter at Grind Me counts as meeting. I asked about her once and Luke responded she was no one important. I believe him. After all, I'm here with him today, not her.
Luke parks the car before placing his arm across my seat back and meeting my eyes. "My family is…" He pauses here, his eyes moving from mine to the house while he thinks. "My family tends to be difficult."
He slides out of the car after that and is opening my door before I realize he didn't answer my question. Placing a hand on my back as we walk, he guides me towards the door. I'm wondering who else will be here and I wish I'd thought to ask on the drive over.
Thankfully Jean and Everly persuaded me to dress for this. If I'd gone home with Jeannie for Thanksgiving as planned I'd have worn jeans and a sweatshirt. I've ended up playing it safe with a basic black dress and matching heels. From what I can see under Luke's coat he's wearing black slacks and a white button-down dress shirt. I'm so glad I'm not in jeans.
We stop on the stone front porch as Luke rings the doorbell. It's never occurred to me that anyone would ring the doorbell of their childhood home. I try to imagine doing this at my grandparents' house but I can't. Then I remember their home—my home—on Cowbell Lane isn't ours anymore. Will I ring the doorbell when I visit them in Florida?
It feels like everything is changing. My grandparents have moved and I'll be graduating and moving out of student housing in less than six months. Jean will move in with Jonathan after we graduate. Everly will either beat Professor Camden into submission or move to New York. I'll get an apartment somewhere in Philadelphia. Beside me Luke takes my hand and I have to wonder what role he'll play in my life in six months, if any.
The oversized front door swings open and a tall older woman greets us. "Lucas! Welcome home." This woman exudes warmth and hospitality. She doesn't seem difficult as Luke called his family moments ago.
"Mrs. Estes," Luke greets her before introducing me. "This is Sophie. Sophie, Mrs. Estes is our house manager."
House manager? What in the heck is a house manager? I smile and shake her hand before Luke helps me out of my coat and hands both my coat and his to Mrs. Estes. I guess house managers hang up coats? I'm in so over my head.
"Who's here?" Luke inquires.
"Your sister and her husband, your aunt and uncle and the Holletts are all in the living room." She smiles and holds her arm out towards the entry hall, indicating we should head in. She's a tall, trim woman with dark curly hair securely pulled back to the nape of her neck. She's wearing a very expensive-looking tan suit and black pumps. I guess house managers don't wear business casual.
The foyer empties into a grand hallway that appears to be the central point of the house. There's a magnificent stairway leading to the second story. Clearly no expense was spared on finishing details here. I spy an exquisite dining room to my left, a quick glance telling me the Millers could easily seat sixteen for dinner if they chose to.
We pass the dining room in favor of a formal living room. As we pass the threshold he murmurs, "We don't have to stay long." I'm not sure what to make of that. Why are we here if he's already planning our exit?
"Luke!" A stunning woman with hair the same chocolate-brown shade as his rushes over to envelope Luke in a hug. "Mother said you were bringing someone," she says as she turns to me, grinning.
I smile and start to introduce myself but she's hugging me before I have the chance.
"I'm Meredith, Luke's sister," she tells me as she steps back and looks at Luke. "She's a doll. Wherever did you find her?"