And Then He Kissed Me by Teresa Southwick

Steve Schafer, gestured with his fork. His darkblond hair and blue-eyed good looks were an attractive
counterpoint to his wife’s wildly curly black hair and brown eyes.
    â€œRosie told you to say that,” Alex said.
    â€œI did not.” She shot him a glare, then leaned down to retrieve the rattle her daughter had dropped.
    â€œShe didn’t,” Steve agreed. “Marrying Rosie and having the baby were the best things that ever happened to me.”
    â€œShe’s the most beautiful baby in the whole world,” Sarah chimed in.
    â€œStephanie is the best,” Joe agreed. “Too bad you were also forced to take my sister in the merger.”
    â€œI’d be a mess without Rosie,” Steve said with heartfelt sincerity. The look he gave his wife was filled with so much love, Abby felt it clear down at her end of the table.
    â€œThank you, honey.” Rosie leaned over and kissed her husband’s lean cheek. “I suppose it’s no secret that I’ve loved you since I was a girl. As far as I’m concerned, you still walk on water.”
    Abby suddenly realized what the phrase “lonely in a crowd” meant. And the term “third wheel.” Seeing this young couple so much in love opened an ache inside her. Would she ever find something like that? Absolutely, came her answer. Just as soon as she had the time to look.
    â€œIt’s gettin’ deep in here,” Joe said.
    â€œYou can say that again,” Alex agreed.
    â€œI third that,” Luke chimed in. “You’re awfully quiet, Nick. Does this mean you’re weakening on the subject of marriage? Is there going to be an announcement soon about you and Madison?”
    Nick met Abby’s gaze down the expanse of table.
“No. She broke it off. She thinks I have feelings for Abby.”
    Abby felt eleven pairs of eyes on her. It would have been twelve, but baby Stephanie was busy examining her fingers. A ten-second thankful speech would have been easier.
    â€œNick mentioned that to me,” Flo said. “And I’ve found Madison to be quite perceptive.”
    â€œShe’s wrong this time,” Abby answered. She remembered Nick saying that his mother liked Madison and was disappointed about the rift. “Besides, I think they’ll work it out. They’re just taking a break from each other.”
    â€œInteresting,” Luke said. “She’s beautiful and brainy, with a body that—”
    â€œCareful, Luke,” his mother warned. “We have an impressionable teenage girl here.”
    â€œThanks, Mrs. M.,” Sarah said. “But I’ve heard worse. High-school guys are so gross.”
    â€œWhat about Austin?” Nick asked her.
    â€œHe’s different,” Sarah answered, looking down at her plate as a blush crept into her cheeks.
    â€œWe’re getting off the subject,” Luke said. “Whose idea was it to take a break?” he asked Nick.
    The edge in his voice drew Abby’s attention to him and the way he stared at his older brother. Something had kicked up the intensity in his already intense blue eyes. Interesting, she thought.
    â€œIt was hers,” Nick answered.
    â€œThen she had her reasons,” Tom Marchetti interjected.
    â€œGetting back to what we’re thankful for,” Nick said, changing the subject again. “I’m more thankful than I can say that I’m not married.”

    â€œMe too,” Joe said.
    â€œMe three,” Alex added.
    â€œNever have, never will,” Luke chimed in fervently.
    Flo Marchetti looked around the table, clearly puzzled by her sons’ attitude. She fixed her gaze on Nick. “You’re responsible for this.”
    â€œMe? What did I do?”
    â€œYou’re the oldest. The leader of the pack. You set the pace. You’ve obviously done something, or said something, to turn your brothers off to the institution of