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Cute Just great Avery Mangino, the goalie for the Travelers, had asked her if she was Drew’s girlfriend, since the jersey she wore had Drew’s name and his number She veheuys to give hi as they weren’t hitting on her, which they weren’t, she was fine with it

Actually, they were a great group of guys, alltheir families as much as she iving because their fa short on gravy," Carolina said to Lakeesha Divant, the director of the eneral, shouting orders to some of her staffers

Carolina had been in awe fro Everything had been set up and ready to go, the food had been prepped the night before, so all they had to do was start serving when they opened the doors It saddened Carolina to see that even at seven thirty in thea line had already forry, and they knew today would be a good day for a full, hot meal Of course the mission provided a hot , and the regulars wanted to be sure to get in line early

"Here’s a refill on the gravy" A big burly guy brought the container out

"Thanks, Ji, et to know everyone orked there Some of them were formerly ho at the mission Lakeesha rateful to be earning their keep

"Just workin’ up an appetite for that great lunch we’re all gonna eat later"

Carolina grinned "My sto"

She served for another couple hours, until the crowd began to thin around one thirty

"Not even one complaint," Drew said, who’d come up behind her He’d spent most of his time in the kitchen, so she hadn’t seen

She moved out of the way as another of the staff took her place "Why would I complain?" she asked as she untied and removed her apron and swiped a loose hair from her eyes

"You worked hard today"

"It orth it Just look at how happy everyone is"

"Yeah For some of the that

"And I’ry, so how about we eat?" he asked

She nodded "I’ve been srab a plate"

They did, and found a seat with Lakeesha and a group of older men who made room for them at their table

"These are our veterans," Lakeesha said, introducing her and Drew to Ronald, Oscar, Lewis, and Bailey

"It’s a pleasure to meet all of you," Carolina said "Thank you for your service"

"Ma’a up the ood"

"I think you can thank Lakeesha and her staff for all of the work that went into preparing the ive up your Thanksgiving, we’d never be able to do all this," Lakeesha said with a ser lines So thank you"

Carolina looked over the h in their lifeti with"

"Me, too," Drew said, then asked them all when and where they served The men launched into a discussion of their military service, and while Carolina ate, they fascinated her ar stories, some fro unpleasant, preferring instead to share positive, fun stories about brotherhood and good times shared

She didn’t blame them She was sure there was plenty of unpleasantness that stayed with the on the street Today was a day to share happiness and fond hted to be part of it

After a while thejust her and Drew at the table

"Where are the other guys?" she asked, looking around

"They took off They ate during an earlier shift and they’re going to congregate at Avery’s place to watch football"

She arched a brow "And you didn’t go with the Day"

"I brought you here I’ll see you ho She didn’t knohat to make of him "You didn’t have to do that I can make my oay back home"

"I’d never abandon you like that, Carolina" At her look, he said, "Not this time"

"No, really Feel free to abandon ave her a look, then a sly smile "Not a chance"

"You know I have to work today"

"I thought we’d hang out"

He really was relentless "I said I’d help out here at thehome to work"

"Today’s a day to relax and have some fun"

She rolled her eyes and stood, then walked away fro earlier in the week, setting her behind on her deadlines She’d given up going home for the holiday so she could catch up No way she’d allow hi to be with her faet soood-bye to Lakeesha and her staff, she walked outside Drew had once again picked her up thisDay would be nearly i for them

"I can’t believe you made the driver wait," she said as she slipped inside

"I didn’t make him wait He came inside and had turkey dinner Didn’t you see hiain she’d been busy allto get through the afternoon

Her eyelids had actually started to drift closed when the car ca her eyes open, she realized they weren’t anywhere near her apartrinned "Yeah Thought we’d do so fun before I dropped you off You did work hard this "