Luc casually throws his arm over my shoulders when one of the workers looks at me too long. I think he was more curious than anything else but I let Luc turn me away.
John and Alice stare at us like they’re trying to figure out what they’re seeing.
Has Dom told them about us?
“This smells amazing, Alice,” I say, feeling uncomfortable and they snap out of it.
She pushes a plate in front of me, handing Dom, Luc and Alec theirs. Okay, then.
We sit at the huge wooden table. The living room and kitchen are one big space with plenty of room for the seven of us when the twins and Jace join us.
I run a hand over the dark surface. It’s a thick piece of wood with character in the groves and edges. It has some sort of resin over it so it’s nice and smooth.
“You like it?” I glance up at John, surprised by his question.
“It’s gorgeous,” I tell him.
John smiles, mysteriously. Dom clues me in.
“Dad made it,” Dom informs me, looking proud of his father.
My eyes widen and John chuckles at my reaction.
“Wow, that’s amazing,” I tell him, blown away. “Is the wood from around here?” I ask.
John nods. “It’s from our property a few k’s that way.” He points east. “This land backs up against ours.”
“That’s awesome. How did you make it?”
I start to relax talking to John as he explains to me how sanding it down gives it that smooth feel.
Dom’s hand finds mine under the table. I quickly glance up at him and he smiles softly, squeezing my hand.
I hold his hand and eat with the other, listening to John explain the process.
“That’s really cool,” I marvel and John beams.
“I like this one,” John says to Dom, hitching his thumb towards me.
Dom grins, kissing my temple and making me blush.
“Speaking of which,” Alice interrupts. The polite expression on her face is far too fake to be real.
“What’s happening here?” Alice focuses on Dom completely ignoring me. “I thought you wanted to be with Alec. But it almost seems like you and her are together.”
Alec stiffens beside me. I put my hand on his leg and he rests his on top of mine.
We fall silent when one of the workers tells Dom that they’re heading off and gives him a brief update.
No one says anything as we wait to hear the sound of their cars start up.
“You didn’t tell them?” I murmur to Dom, unable to mask the disappointment in my voice.
Dom’s eyes beg me to understand. “I planned on talking to them in person. That’s why I told you not to come over,” Dominic turns back to his parents, “I said that we’d come to you.”
“Son,” John asks. “What’s going on?”
Not wanting to force Dom to tell his parents anything, I rise to my feet. Dom’s hand on mine tightens. I almost sit back down.
