“Young and stupid. We’ve all been there. Even you, babe.” Emory snorted, glancing over at Jonah. “Don’t let him fool you. E did some dumb shit back in the day.”
It was hard to imagine Ethan doing anything irresponsible, but as his wife pointed out, they were all young once. However, he wouldn’t allow that excuse to be used in this situation.
Jonah forked his food. “Yeah, well, twenty-one is old enough to know better.”
“I was a ball of chaos at twenty-one.” Emory snickered and her gaze lifted past his shoulder. “I was wondering where you went. Get over here and eat. Your food is getting cold.”
From her teasing tone alone, he didn’t need to look to know who she was talking to. Roxanne slowly rounded the table, and he couldn’t take his eyes off her. Her long black hair fell over one shoulder, the edge reaching the tip of her breast. She sat and glanced up. They were now directly across from each other.
“We were talking about the accident. So, Jonah, when are you doing the repairs? Tomorrow, right? At your house?” Emory asked, smiling.
He watched Roxanne jerk her head to Emory, who refused to meet her stare. Instead, her eyes and amused grin were set on him. If he had to guess, Roxanne had already told her friend she wasn’t planning on going. Emory was working as an ally for him, and he wouldn’t waste the opportunity.
Jonah cleared his throat. “That’s the plan, right, Roxanne?”
Her gaze shifted to him, and he watched as she licked her lips. He arched his brow, daring her to tell her brother, who was sitting next to him, that she wouldn’t let him do the repairs. He hadn’t been sure exactly why she’d had a change of heart. He gathered it had something to do with their run-in at the bar. Admittedly, he could’ve handled that situation better.A hell of a lot better.
He, along with everyone else at the table, waited for her to answer. But Roxanne remained silent. T walked over, taking an open seat at the head of the table.
“Why is everyone so fucking quiet?”
Emory propped up on her elbows. “We were talking about the little fender bender. Jonah offered to do the repairs, which I think is a fabulous idea. At least you know it’ll be done right.”
While Jonah appreciated her confidence in his abilities, she was laying it on thick. Jonah continued eating, staring across the table at Roxanne. Occasionally, she’d peek up and then immediately avert her eyes. If he had to guess, she was hoping it was the end of the conversation. It wasn’t.
“When are you doing the repairs?” T asked.
Jonah pulled his gaze away from her to address T. “I pick up the parts tomorrow morning. Roxanne’s bringing the car over at noon. Should only take a few hours.” Jonah rested back in his chair. T nodded and turned to Roxanne.
“You gonna stay there and hang out or you want me to come pick you up?”
The corner of his mouth hiked as he watched her fidget in her seat. Roxanne seemed conflicted about how to answer, or maybe she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do. Jonah did. Against his better judgement and all rational thought, he wanted her to stay.
“You should stay,” Emory elbowed Roxanne’s arm. “I mean, it’s only a few hours.” Her teeth gleamed against her red lipstick. She was damn proud of herself.
“I’ll play it by ear, T. If that’s alright?”
“Yeah, I’m around if you need a ride back.”
Her answer shut down the topic and moved on to T asking about finishing the loft in his detached garage. Roxanne remained unusually quiet during the exchange. She left as soon as she finished eating, and T, Stone, and Jonah went outside to look at the garage.
An hour later, he walked back into the house to say his goodbyes. He opened the back door and slipped into the mudroom. The chatter of female voices was in full force. He stopped in the doorway, and all talking ceased.
“Hey Jonah,” Cassie said with so much enthusiasm, he smiled.
“Hey, I’m heading out. Just wanted to thank you for dinner. Everything was great.”
She beamed, walking toward him, stopping a foot away. She was tiny and had to crane her neck to look up at him. “Well, thanks for coming. You’ve got an open invitation here anytime.”
“Thanks.” He glanced around and lifted his hand with a short wave. “Night.”
They said goodbye, and when he breached the outside door, he swore he heard a hushed voice say, “Go walk him out.” He paused, looking back at the empty doorway, and smirked. If he had to guess, it was Emory’s suggestion, but Roxanne wasn’t listening.
He walked down the steps, giving a last farewell to Stone and T, who were in the backyard, and rounded the house and down the driveway. He’d just come up to T’s truck when he heard the front door open. He glanced over his shoulder.
Roxanne stood on the landing, staring back at him. She hesitated for a second, then walked down the stairs and made her way toward him. He drew in a breath, prepping himself for what was coming. She hadn’t changed her mind about tomorrow. Roxanne just wouldn’t say it in front of her brothers.
He cursed under his breath and turned around, continuing down the driveway and the sidewalk to his truck. “I’ll see you tomorrow at twelve.”
