Chapter Twenty-Seven
Jace
We failed to win the conflict test, but that was mostly because we refused to divulge how we spent most of the afternoon and evening. Despite Zoe’s competitive streak, neither of us was too upset. It’s difficult to feel like you’ve lost out when you’ve spent hours wrapped up in each other.
Carly and Landon won this round and after their gloating, they invited us to dinner to help partake in their prize–a 5-course meal at a restaurant in town.
The restaurant is a quaint, mom and pop type place with locals owning and operating the business, rather than an elegant, extravagant location. It’s impossible not to become infatuated with the owner and his wife as they waited on us hand and foot, bringing trays of local delicacies until I’m too full to move.
I lean back into the chair, place my arm along the top rail of Zoe’s seat, and stretch my legs in front of me. She’s seated near the edge of her chair, so it doesn’t come off as too forward.
Zorya snatches a bite of breadfruit into her mouth and wrinkles her nose. She chews and swallows. “Well, that’s weird.”
We laugh at her expression but give her credit for trying new things.
“You don’t have to eat it if you don’t want.” Carly tweaks her nose between her fingers. “But thank you for trying it.”
“You’re welcome.” She sets the fork down on the white place. “I think I prefer ice cream for dessert.”
“I don’t blame you.” Zoe winks at her younger half-sister. “I prefer ice cream as well.”
“If you had to choose one type of ice cream for the rest of your life….” Landon points his fork at Zoe. “What would you choose?”
“Really?” She laughs and settles back into her seat, narrowly avoiding brushing into my forearm. “We’re at dinner, and you’re still in full marriage boot camp mode.”
“How else do you think we won today?” Landon smirks and lifts his water glass to his lips. “We’re in full competitive mode.”
“Well, you’d better get some sleep tonight because that obstacle course is going to bite your butt.” Zoe turns to me, causing my heart to stop in my chest.
Is it too much to hope that when we tell them that we’re together they still feel this same way about us? My shoulders tense. Should we tell them now? I don’t want to hide our relationship. It’s not something I’m ashamed of.
She pats my bicep. “Because my partner here is going to smoke all of us and drag me along behind him.”
“No….” I shake my head and stare into her green eyes. Drowning in them. “I’ll let you take the lead and follow you.” Like always, I’ll put her first.
She strokes her thumb along my skin and drops her hand to her lap before turning back around to face Carly and Landon. “Well, whoever goes first, we’re going to win. You got lucky today.”
Landon covers Carly’s hand. “Yes, we did. We got lucky because it’s great to see the two of you getting along.”
“Yeah.” Zorya scoots to the edge of her seat. “You two are fun together. I can’t wait until our next family game night.” She frowns as if she’s remembering something. “I guess it won’t be this Christmas since we’re going on the cruise.”
Carly tips her head sideways. “Would you prefer we went at a different time and stayed home for the holidays?”
“Of course.” Zorya shrugs as the owner’s wife retrieves our empty plates and gushes at how well we ate our meals.
“It was lovely.” Carly places her hand on the woman’s arm. Her dark hair and eyes shine with approval and pleasure as we praise her for the delicious food.
“Thank you so much for your hospitality. You made us feel like a part of the family.” The woman beams as she disappears into the kitchen.
Zorya clasps Carly’s hand. “I’d like to be home so Santa can come down the chimley.” Her eyes dance with mischief. “I’d really like to get a horse this year, and I don’t think Santa will bring me one on the cruise.”
“A horse?” I smile at Landon. It’s going to be great to see him navigate this one.
Landon’s shoulders stiffen. “I’m not sure about a horse – “
“A horse would be an awesome gift.” Zoe grins at Landon. “I always wanted one, and Mom and Dad wouldn’t get me one.”
A horse. I file that information away for the future. A horse doesn’t fit into my condo’s rental animal agreement, but who knows what the future holds for us. All I know is that if Zoe wants a horse, I’ll get her one.
“Really?” Zorya hops up and down in her seat. “I never knew you wanted a horse when you were younger.”
“Who said it was only when I was younger.” Zoe leans forward and says with a tone of conspiracy, “We could get matching black stallions, 15 hands high–”
“Zoe,” Carly growls with mock anger. “You’re cruising, young lady.”
“What? I’m not doing anything?” She raises her hands, palms upward with mock innocence.
By the time we get back to the resort, Carly and Landon have contacted the cruise line and changed their departure time by two weeks, and we’ve agreed to join them for Christmas at their home.
Let’s just hope that when we show up together that everyone remains happy. Not that I intend to wait that long to tell them. When we get back to the States, it’s time we sit them down and have a heart-to-heart conversation about our future. Because there’s no me without her.