16. Chapter 15 #2
Except for the time during her mother’s health scare, the home she’d grown up in had been full of joy and love. She considered herself very lucky.
Grabbing the rest of the Sunday plates from the cupboard, she joined her oldest sister in placing them around the table. “We’ve got one more today,” she said.
“Ah.” Heather glanced toward the kitchen. She lifted an eyebrow as she studied Jinx. “Ooh, he looks nice. You can’t tell me he put that outfit on just to meet all of us. I take it the date went well?”
A smile tugged on her lips as she remembered the night before. “Don’t start. I told you, it’s just a friends thing.”
“With benefits, if he stayed overnight.” Heather glanced at her. “You look happy about it.”
“I like being around him.” Finished with the plates, she moved over to the silverware drawer.
“You sure it’s not more than that?” Heather asked, divvying out the napkins.
“I’m sure.” Julia paused, her hands tightening around the forks. “It was a really good date, though. I kind of realized I’d never been on one before while on it.”
Heather lifted an eyebrow. “So what you normally do with guys isn’t considered a date?”
Julia snorted. “Definitely not. I couldn’t turn down Jinx when he asked, though.”
“Hmmm,” Heather hummed.
“I’ve always had a soft spot for him. That’s nothing new, and a little sex isn’t going to change things.”
A choked sound came from behind her, and she turned to see Jinx red-faced in the dining room doorway, her father at his back.
He patted Jinx’s shoulder and turned around to head back into the kitchen. “I’ll see if your mother is ready for me to bring anything out.”
Julia moved toward Jinx, using her free hand to cup his hot cheek. “Don’t panic. I told you, I don’t want you to feel ashamed of what we did.”
“Right.” He cleared his throat. “So… can I help with anything? Please? Any distraction will do.”
“Show him where the spoons are,” Julia told her sister. “Nothing with sharp edges for this one.” With Jinx’s luck, he’d fall and impale himself on something. She pinched his cheek lightly and turned to finish placing the forks.
While her parents had a standing monthly lunch invitation, it wasn’t often that all their children and grandchildren showed up. It was almost a full house that day, with all in attendance but Heather’s two boys who were away at college.
Jinx stayed mostly quiet as his eyes followed the conversation around the table, a soft smile on his face. He’d worn that same expression every time he’d eaten with her family as kids, as if the way her family interacted delighted him.
Growing up with a single mother who worked multiple jobs, meals weren’t the same in his household, though his family had the same level of love and support.
The conversation flowed freely. Maria was all smiles, telling them about her first few weeks as a teacher and how much she loved the kids.
She said she’d made a blunder with one of her colleagues but was certain she’d be able to turn it around.
She didn’t mention the man who had followed her to the school, and Julia made a mental note to ask her sister whether he was still hassling her.
Heather mentioned she was taking her youngest son up to visit the campus of the university he’d been accepted to.
He was excited about it and waved his hands as he talked about the programs that he hoped to be a part of in the fall.
There was a slight shift in her sister’s smile as her son spoke, and her husband put his arm around her shoulders.
Their mother’s eyes were on her as well, so Julia decided she’d let the two of them help her through the tough transition.
Julia couldn’t quite understand what her sister was going through, never wanting to have kids herself. She looked at Jinx, who was taking a bite of the potatoes and savoring every minute of it. She liked that he enjoyed her favorite food.
Was he someone who wanted children? She could sort of picture it. He was so open and giving all the time. He’d make a good father for some lucky kid someday.
Her stomach twisted at the thought.
“What about you, Julia?” her father asked, dragging her attention away from Jinx. “Any updates about your job?”
“I love working for Charles. There’s nothing new there.
” She smiled at them, her mind landing on the date the night before.
“Oh, I haven’t told you about our visit to the museum yet.
” She reached under the table to link her hand with Jinx’s where it rested on his thigh.
“They had an amazing exhibit focused on Japanese tattoos through history.”
She liked feeling the warmth of his skin against hers as she told her family about the museum, fielding some of the discussion to him.
His eyes were so warm every time he looked at her during the conversation, and she was glad when the topic moved on since she’d lost the thread somewhere along the way.
Her parents told them about their next upcoming cruise. Now that they were retired, they were quickly building up cruise points. Her mother loved the ocean, and her father had been enjoying indulging her.
Her older brother Trenton’s daughter, who was almost four now, slipped out of her chair and booked it deeper into the house before her mother could catch her. Celia blinked, her eyes widening. Trenton was already getting up and squeezed her shoulder. “I’ll get her.”
She nodded, but her eyes remained on the empty doorway where he disappeared.
“How are things at the tavern, dear?” their mother asked her.
Celia’s face turned toward her, and she blinked. “Oh, they’re great. I love working there.”
“And your cousin’s doing well?”
“Yes.” Celia’s features eased when Trenton returned with their daughter in his arms, her head curled on his shoulder. He swayed with her, patting her back.
“Everything’s good with us,” he assured their mother, smiling at his wife. “Life is just about perfect.”
“Sap,” Julia said, but she was happy for her brother. He really had been content the last few years.
Lunch continued, the talk drifting and changing as they all caught up. Everyone was too full to move by the end, after squeezing in dessert on top of all the food. Julia always knew she was going to eat too much when her mother cooked.
Rachel, who had been quieter than usual, pushed back her chair. “Anyone else want some coffee?” Heather’s husband and their father assented, and she disappeared into the kitchen.
Maria leaned closer to Julia. “I’ll ask about her date,” she whispered, then hopped up with the excuse that she was going to help.
Rachel’s children stared after their mother, then looked toward their grandmother. “May we be excused?” Piper asked.
“Of course. I’ve got a few new things in the playroom for you. Oh, and take your cousin with you.”
“I’m too old for the playroom,” Sam grumbled, crossing his arms.
“Which is why I’m giving you the responsibility of your little cousin,” his grandmother said.
“I’ll carry her back.” Trenton herded the rest of the children in that direction.
Celia made an aborted motion to rise, her hands fluttering.
“Celia, dear, can I ask for your help with the dishes?” their mother asked.
Celia seemed to settle and nodded. “Of course.”
“We’ll help clear.” Julia nudged Jinx’s shoulder.
Cleanup moved quickly. Maria and Rachel ended up talking quietly near the back door, Julia’s father captured Jinx and Heather’s husband in the living room, wanting to show off some recent cruise pictures, and Celia worked with their mother at the sink.
Julia enjoyed watching Celia with her mother. Her brother’s wife hadn’t had a stable mother growing up, and she became both embarrassed and soothed when their mother fawned over her. Julia never minded having her mother’s attention diverted.
She loved her mother but had a feeling she’d ask some pointed questions about her date with Jinx if she managed to corner her. Questions Julia should have been able to answer easily, but just looking at Jinx created a strange fluttering inside.
He fit. He’d always been happy around her family, but she’d forgotten just how much. Phoebe had complained every time Julia invited her brother along, but Julia had never liked leaving him alone in his own house whenever they played at hers.
A shoulder brushed against hers, and she glanced over at her big brother before leaning into him. Trenton was one of the kindest people she’d ever known, and he deserved all the happiness he’d found again with Celia.
“How’s being a big shot lawyer working for you lately?” she asked, hoping to stymy his own questions about her life. He cared, but she hated talking about herself.
“I’m not a big shot,” he said, turning to face her. “But the cases I’ve been working on are important to the clients.”
“They’re lucky to have you.” Julia wasn’t giving lip service.
Trenton often took on pro bono cases to help women who couldn’t afford a divorce attorney and needed to sever their abusive relationships.
Even though he was exposed to the toxic side of marriage, he never seemed to let it change his own optimism.
“How are you doing?” he asked.
She knew what he was asking and rolled her eyes. “I told you all, I’m fine. I made a mistake, and I’ll work my way through it. There’s no need to worry.”
“Did you give any more thought to what I mentioned?” His voice lowered as he glanced toward their mother, not that far away. “I really don’t think how the hospital handled things was right. The way you were treated compared to—”
“Stop, Trent,” she cut in, raising her hand. “Please.”
He sighed but nodded. “I don’t like seeing you hurt.”
“I’m not hurt.” The roiling in her stomach said otherwise.
She got the same feeling whenever one of her past coworkers treated her like she was the worst person around.
“I just feel stupid,” she said, which was true, too.
There had been red flags she’d missed. “I got into bed with him. Just like I did with that professor.”
Trenton studied her, making her want to shift in place, but she held herself still as she lifted her chin.
“It feels different,” he finally said, frowning. “You fought for yourself last time. Held the university accountable for the suspension.”
Julia shook her head. “But it didn’t change anything, did it?
I still had to make up that semester due to the weeks of classes I missed.
” Her arms crossed in front of her, and she wished this conversation was over.
“Besides, this time is different. I knew what I was doing.” Not at first, but she hadn’t stopped when she’d realized who he was.
“I need to own my decision. We were raised that way.”
His green eyes remained steady on her face. “That sounds like you’re beating yourself up. This wasn’t just on you, Jules.”
Julia’s eyes warmed. She held still while he ruffled her hair.
“You’re great. I don’t want you to ever think otherwise.” He glanced over at Celia. “Other people’s opinions can eat at your self-confidence, and I don’t want that for you.”
She snorted. “Some might say my confidence could use a couple of knocks.”
He shook his head. “I love you just as you are.” His eyes flicked to her. “It was nice to see Jesse. Makes me want to take you both to get ice cream.”
She laughed. “I was remembering that the other day.” Her eyes found the figure with wildly curling blond hair. “I forgot how well he and Dad got along.”
“You two look comfortable together.”
“We should, after what we were up to last night.” Warmth slid through her just thinking about what they’d done.
“No details, Jules. Please.” Trenton looked a little green.
Julia grinned. “You’re such a prude sometimes. Poor Celia.”
“I’m not a prude, I just draw the line at talking about things like that with my sister. I’m very happy Mom was the one to give you the sex talk.”
Julia studied her happy and healthy mother. “Me too,” she murmured, feeling lucky all over again that their mother had healed.
Trenton’s arm came around her, giving her a squeeze.
She sighed. “Everything that happened recently, it reminded me why I should be the one and done type. I don’t need more.”
His eyes softened as he continued to look at Celia. “One day, I hope you meet someone who makes you feel different about that.”
“You always were a sap,” she said, shrugging his arm away.
He chuckled, moving toward the kitchen. Julia watched as Celia leaned into him, her face softening just by being near him.
Her eyes shifted to Jinx, still talking with her father. As if he could feel her gaze on him, he glanced her way and smiled, his cheeks a little pink as his blue eyes crinkled in the corners.
Her throat tightened, but she forced her lips to tilt up in an answering smile.
Fifteen minutes later, after begging off leftovers, they escaped the house. Jinx still looked relaxed and happy. Staring at his face made her stomach all squirrelly.
It really was a beautiful Sunday. The sun filtered through the trees in her parents’ yard, and there was laughter from the neighborhood kids playing outdoors to take advantage of the superb weather.
Her gaze slid over Jinx instead of appreciating the world around them.
She really did like the blue of his shirt, but as she took in the way his dress pants fit over his ass, she was reminded of how grabbable it was.
For such a skinny guy, he really had a nice ass.
It was too bad she hadn’t spent more time on it when she had the chance.
He turned toward her, his lips parting to say something. Over his shoulder, one of the neighborhood kids swung at a softball. Even as she heard the crack of the solid hit, she pushed at Jinx, crowding him against the side of her car.
The trajectory of the softball went right through where he’d been standing a moment before. She wasn’t surprised at all, but her heart still thudded in her chest.
“The universe was out to get you again.”
His hands came up to caress her shoulders and his blue eyes smiled right into hers. “But you were there. Thanks, Jules.”
Her rapid breathing brushed her chest against his. She leaned into him a bit more, liking the way their bodies lined up. His smile lit something inside her, and all she wanted to do was taste it. She bet she could make him whimper and moan again from just a kiss.
Temptation gnawed at her as she held herself there for another moment, a throb telling her that her body was more than interested.
Julia stepped back instead, striding toward where the softball had landed and reminding herself that she’d be a fool to go back for seconds.