I watch her eat, smiling as she keeps going. “You love it,” I tell her after about her sixth bite.
“I do,” she laughs, smiling. “Now stop staring at me and start eating.”
We eat, making idle conversation about the last few days. I haven’t seen her since late Sunday night, when her friend Savannah took her home after she got off work at the club. I wanted Jensen to stay the entire night, but she wouldn’t have it, saying she needed to get some actual sleep, versus endless bouts of sex.
Not that I’m complaining about all the sex we’re having, but I get what she’s saying.
We’re almost finished with our food when I finally decide to ask her about going with me to dinner tomorrow. “So it’s my sister’s birthday,” I start.
Jensen lifts her gaze from the bowl, her expression neutral. “How old will she be?”
“Seventeen. My family’s getting together for dinner tomorrow to celebrate.” I pause, letting my words sink in before I go on. “I’d like you to come with me.”
“What?” Her expression is nothing short of horrified, like I just suggested she should have sex with my dad or something equally twisted and weird. Definitely didn’t expect that strong of a reaction.
“It’s not a big deal,” I quickly reassure her. “Just
a typical family dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. It’ll be loud, my dad might tell bad jokes, my sister will be embarrassed because her boyfriend is there with us, and my stepmom will bitch about the bad service and how much she hates that place.”
“I don’t know…” Jensen starts, slowly shaking her head. At least that horrified expression is gone. Somewhat. “I don’t do well with family dinners.”
“Have you ever been to a family dinner with someone else?”
“No,” she admits quietly.
That’s what I thought. “Then how do you know you don’t do well with them?”
Jensen pushes her bowl away from her, like she’s lost her appetite. “This feels—serious, Rhett.”
“What, going to Cheesecake Factory? Trust me, it’s not.” Actually, it is, but I’m trying to play this off. I don’t bring girls around my family. It gives them expectations that I can’t meet. Like we’re serious when we’re not.
But there’s something about this girl that makes me want to push her into being in a serious relationship.
With me.
Am I crazy? Probably. One minute I can’t trust her, the next I want her to be my official girlfriend. I’m making no sense. But this girl does something to me. The more she pushes me away, the more I want to reel her back in.
Maybe I’m just a glutton for punishment. I don’t know.
“You want to introduce me to your family?” Now she appears shocked.
“Well…yeah. You can be my buffer, so I won’t have to suffer with my family alone.” I smile and reach across the table to grab her hand, trying to charm her. “Come on, Jens. Say yes. It’ll be fun.”
She absently rubs her fingers against mine, her gaze seemingly far away, like she really has to think about this before she can answer. “Are you sure you want me there?”
“I asked you, didn’t I?” I give her fingers a squeeze, and she looks at me. “I want you to be there.”
A sigh escapes her and she rolls her eyes. “Can I get a piece of cheesecake?”
I take a deep breath, not realizing I’d been holding it. This girl leaves me on edge, I swear. “You can have an entire cheesecake if that’s what you want.”
“I might take you up on that offer.” She smiles.
“Done.” I bring her hand to my mouth and press my lips to the back of it. “Want to get out of here?”
A knowing smile curls her lips as her answer.
It’s much later in the night, when we’re both naked and exhausted, our hands idly searching each other’s bodies as we drift off to sleep, when she makes a revelation.