“Hey, Samantha, glad you could make it. Bella, you’ve gotten so big since I last saw you. You definitely are mommy’s mini-me. Lucas never shuts up about either one of you.” I could’ve sworn that I saw her eyes roll. Jessica was never as warm as Lucas and Jenn were, but something was off with her today. Lucas went back to helping Bella put on her water wings and took us both by the hand over to the pool. I told myself I was reading into it and tried to relax by the pool.
Lucas hopped in the water and stretched his arms out for Bella to swim to him. “Come on, Butterfly! You can do this.” She had the cutest look of determination on her face as she dog paddled over to him. She reached Lucas’s arms, and he picked her up out of the water.
“See, Butterfly? I told you that you could do it!” Bella beamed over at me.
“Did you see me, Mommy? Can I take off my water wings?” Lucas raised his eyebrows at me, and I reluctantly nodded. That made me a little nervous, but Lucas would never let anything happen to her. It was wonderful seeing my daughter having fun and learning not to be so shy or afraid. Lucas would make the best dad. I got a sudden shiver thinking of having babies with Lucas in the future, but I stopped myself from daydreaming. My divorce from Marc needed to be final before we made any real plans together.
Jenn called us out of the pool to eat when she was done grilling. Lucas handed Bella to me to dry her off and put her cover-up on. Lucas came up behind me and gave me a kiss on my neck.
“God, you look so sexy today. You’re driving me crazy,” he whispered in my ear. I had on a strapless one-piece. Bathing suit season was hard when you were big chested, and I thought this one showed the least amount of boob for a day with my boyfriend’s family. I turned around, shaking my head at him.
He wrapped his arms around me when I stood up and gave me a light kiss on my lips. I gave him a look I hoped said: “let’s not make out in front of everyone.” He held me tighter and buried his head in my neck to take a bite of my earlobe, making me giggle as I pushed him away. I stopped when I noticed Jessica glaring at us over Lucas’s shoulder. It was a concerned look like she didn’t like what she saw.
The rest of the day went by smoothly. When we were inside the house getting ready to leave, Jenn asked Bella if she wanted to check out the bunny rabbit next door. Next to butterflies, she loved bunnies, so she happily went back into the yard.
“I spoke to Daina last week. She said she met up with you guys in Lake George a couple of weeks ago.” Jessica hadn’t really spoken directly to me all day. I realized she and I were alone in the kitchen.
“Yeah, we had so much fun! Little Jake is getting so big.”
“She also told me Marc is refusing to sign the separation papers.”And here we go.I should learn to trust my instincts.
“He’s being difficult, as usual. My lawyer says there are ways we can go around him to file for divorce if he doesn’t want to sign.”
“Butwhyis he being difficult? Sounds like he’s trying to hold on to you.” She crossed her arms and leaned back against the stove. I was being interrogated.
“Trust me, Jessica. There is nothing at all to hold on to. There is no way—inhell—I would ever get back with Marc. I’m in love with your brother. End of story.”
I could have killed Daina. She didn’t mean any harm and was probably on a ‘Marc is an asshole’ rant, but right now, it wasn’t making me look very good.
Jessica huffed and shook her head. “Samantha, I like you. I really do. I don’t think you’d ever intentionally hurt Lucas, but this whole situation doesn’t sit right with me. He’s gotten too attached to both of you. I saw it today. Every time I speak to him, it’s Sam this, Bella that. You’re not even legally separated yet. Don’t you think you should back off from my brother until whenever—orif—your marriage actually ends?”
“Who the hell do you think you are to tell her to back off?”
Lucas must have heard us talking and stormed into the kitchen toward his sister.
“You don’t know anything about Sam’s marriage to Marc, or what we have together. I told you before, when it comes to us, mind your own business! I love her and she loves me and that’s all you need to know.” So this wasn’t a new subject of discussion with them.Great. Exactly what I was afraid of.
I was blindsided, but I understood her. If Lucas were my brother, I’d be a little concerned about what he was getting himself into. Would I have sandbagged my brother’s girlfriend? Probably not. But I still couldn’t blame her for looking out for him.
“Lucas, hey, it’s fine.” I rubbed his arm, trying to calm him down. “I get why she’s concerned—”
“No, it is definitelynotfucking fine. I have the car loaded. I’ll go out to get Bella because we’re leaving.”
Jessica grabbed Lucas’s arm before he got to the door. She looked remorseful, and her voice came down an octave.
“I’m sorry for upsetting you, Lucas. I’m just worried about you. I don’t want to see you hurt.”
“And I told you I know what I’m doing and to stay out of it.” He pushed past her and out the back door. Jessica put her head down and left the kitchen. I hated seeing a close family fighting because of me.
Lucas didn’t say much in the car. We drove most of the way home in silence. Bella passed out by the time we left their driveway just as I expected after a busy day. We were almost home when I finally couldn’t take it anymore.
“I know why your sister’s worried. I would be, too, if you were my brother.”
Lucas shrugged but still looked tense. “She’s a pain in the ass, but I know she thinks she’s looking out for me. I wish she would stay out of it.”
“So, why do you seem so upset?” I rubbed the back of his neck as he was driving. He clenched his jaw and let out a frustrated sigh.
“I hate knowing that fucker won’t sign the papers. I didn’t need a reminder that you’re still legally married to that asshole.”
