He and Luca have struck up quite a good friendship. It makes me happy that they’re finding that with each other. I still just wish I knew what was going on with him and Jasper. Luca’sconvincedthey’re into each other, but I’m not. Or at least, I’m not convinced that Jasper is.
There’s a soft knock at the door. “I’ll get it.”
Ma gives me a nod, then heads back into the kitchen.
I open the door to Jasper and Arlo. “Hey, guys. Come on in.”
It takes me a second and a double take to realize that Jasper is wearing a thick sweater, but Arlo is wearing Jasper’s jacket. I studythe two of them as Arlo takes it off and hands it back to him. Luca’s gonna lose his fucking mind over this one.
Arlo mostly ignores me and Jasper, heading into the kitchen like he’s been here a million times already. I watch him go, then glance back at Jasper to find him doing the same.
I narrow my eyes. “What’s that about?”
It takes Jasper a second to drag his eyes from the empty doorway. “Huh?”
“Why are you staring all… longingly and shit?”
He laughs, brushing past me. “I’m not.”
Yeah, okay. Fuck. Luca may really be on to something here. I let out a sigh, then follow Jasper into the kitchen. Luca immediately finds my eyes, then raises his brows.
I roll my eyes.Yeah, I see it too. You win.
His smile is the only response I need, and I shake my head before joining him at the giant table.
I miss having family dinners here like this. Sure, the company is different now, but the world feels so much better with Luca sitting beside me at the family dinner table. Sunday dinners used to include Ronald and Marjorie. They were as much a fixture here as we were at their house.
If I miss them this much, I can’t even imagine how much Luca does.
Easy conversation flows around the table as Jasper and Dad talk. Arlo and Luca are telling Ma about a funny toddler they had in the diner last night after they sent her home, and I’m sitting back, enjoying it all with a smile on my face.
“So,” I say when there’s a lull in conversation. “Luc and I have something we want to tell you.”
Ma squeals before either of us has a chance to even say anything. “Oh my God, I’ve been waiting forever. When’s the wedding?”
Dad chokes on his water, and Arlo bursts out laughing.
“Wedding?” Luca chokes out, face turning beet-red.
Holy shit. If the thought of being in a relationship was terrifying to him, I can’t even imagine how much he’s against the idea of marriage.
“Are you not engaged?”
I shake my head slowly, casting a glance at Luca. “No, but we did want to tell you that we’re together. Dating, though. Boyfriends. Not getting married.”
Mom blinks at me a few times, her eyebrows pulling together.
“Well, I’m happy for you both,” Dad says, raising his glass of water in the air. “Can’t say I’m real surprised, but I’m happy.”
“Can’t say you’re surprised?” Jasper cuts in, chuckling. “Have these two lovebirds always been lovey-dovey?”
Luca and I both shake our heads, but Dad goes on. “Maybe not like this, but we were both surprised to find out Luca was engaged to someone else. Thought for sure these boys would end up married by twenty.”
Wow. This night is taking a damn turn.
“I’m sorry,” I mouth at Luca, who shrugs and offers me a small grin. It’s not like he doesn’t know how this family is, though, so I’m not sure this reaction is a shock to either of us.
Mom clears her throat. “I’m with my darling husband. I’m happy for you both.”
