girls to bicker over the other one. It was loud and noisy, and just about perfect.
Contrary to her earlier announcement, the only thing Alicia interrogated me about was colleges, and I was okay to talk about that. Becca jumped in to discuss the ones she wanted to go to—eventually—in between discussing the upcoming winter dance recital, and did I want to go?
The best part? Jake kept his thigh pressed to mine for the whole meal.
I managed to not only make a dent in the food, I ate some pumpkin pie. When it was all done though, I didn’t think I’d be able to get up from the table to save my life. Eventually, and groaning, I tried to help with the clean-up, and even though they all told me to sit still, I could ferry dishes even one handed.
I had to do something, or I was gonna puke. I didn’t think I’d ever been this full.
Alicia insisted on packing up leftovers for me to take home, and then she sent Jake off to take out the trash. Alone in the kitchen, she said, “Do you mind if I ask you a direct question?”
“Nope,” I told her and braced for it.
A smile softened her face, and I could see where Jake got his charming smile from without even trying. “It’s not that bad. I just wanted to know if you and Jake are being safe? He gets prickly when I ask him about these things.”
Clearing my throat, I nodded. “Definitely safe. He takes really good care of me.” Then, because I wanted her to know it wasn’t one-sided, I added, “And I’m trying to take really good care of him.”
After releasing a breath, Alicia nodded. “Thank you, and I know you take good care of him. He’s been happier in the last few weeks than he was all summer.” She winced. “Aside from…”
“It’s fine,” I told her. “Honestly?” At her nod, I continued, “Me too. This summer sucked, and there’s been some really awful stuff this year, too, but…Jake’s definitely one of the best things about everything.”
“Good.” Then she swept me into another hug that caught me off-guard. “I worry about you, sweetheart, and I’m glad you and Jake finally figured it out. You two have known each other forever.” I hugged her back, eyes getting a little misty at the affection.
“Thank you for having me over for dinner.” The backdoor slammed, and Jake edged into the room as Alicia gave me a quick kiss on the cheek before she let me go.
“Thank you for coming. The girls loved having you, and I meant it, I want you to come over more often. We all worry about you…” Then she tossed a look at Jake, who was scowling at her. “It’ll also mean I get to see Jake more.”
“Mom,” he grunted, and she laughed.
I felt a little guilty about that, but maybe I could fix it some. “I’d like that,” I told her. “I don’t know when or how often, but I would like that.”
“Then it’s settled.” Alicia gave Jake a smug look. “Told you, I liked her.”
He rolled his eyes and wrapped his arms around me. “I like her more.” After his mom left us alone, he nuzzled a kiss just behind my ear. “You might even say I love you.”
My heart bounced up to my throat, and I tilted my head back to look up at him. “Yeah?” Not my most erudite response.
“Yeah,” he said, grinning slowly, and I twisted carefully and wrapped my left arm around his neck as I set my casted right on his shoulder. He dipped his head, voice dropping low and sweet. “I love you, Frankie Curtis. Don’t ever forget it.”
My stomach bottomed out, and my eyes sparked with tears. “I hate you for doing this right here and now.”
He chuckled at me and pressed a kiss to my nose. “Sorry.”
“No you’re not,” I said with an exaggerated sigh.
“No,” he agreed. “I’m definitely not. But I do love you.”
“It’s a really good thing I love you, too, or I’d be annoyed at you for making me want to cry.”
His grin gentled, and he wrapped me up against him, face buried against my hair. I closed my eyes and held onto him. Against my ear he whispered, “The next chance I get, I’m going to eat you out until you’re screaming, Baby Girl. Then I’m going to do it again.”
A shiver raced up my spine, and my tears dried up at the tease. I groaned,