I glanced at Shiloh and saw that her cheeks were red with embarrassment, and she was staring at her plate of food. I cleared my throat, annoyed that Esther had to be so honest. I wasn’t embarrassed though, because it was already apparent that I had feelings for Shiloh.
“No, she’s not. And stop spying on me, it’s creepy.”
“Ah-ah,” Ruthie exclaimed, breaking the awkward tension.
“¿Más agua?” Sebastian asked her, using the sign language they said helped her communicate. She stared at him for a moment before holding out her empty plastic cup and Sebastian signed gracias.
“You’re raising her bilingual?” Shiloh asked Eden.
“Yes, it’s important to us that she doesn’t lose that part of her identity just because I’m not fluent.” Eden smiled, glancing at Sebastian as he returned with Ruthie’s cup. “But I’m trying to learn as well. He speaks only Spanish at home to try and teach me at the same time.”
They shared a look, Sebastian smirking. “She probably knows more than I do. She took it in high school. Plus, two semesters when we were in college. I didn’t really pay attentionto all the grammar stuff in school, so I’m only really fluent enough to speak it, not read and write.”
“She’s lucky to have parents that care so much about sharing their cultures,” Shiloh smiled. “So, you guys met in college?”
Seb smiled with a nod, eyeing my sister with adoration. “Yep. Love at first sight.”
Eden rolled her eyes. “You’re lucky we ended up in the same English class.”
“Don’t I know it,” Sebastian said with a wink. “It was meant to be. Even ended up getting job offers for the same hospital.”
“What do you do?” Shiloh asked.
“Oh, I work as a graphic designer for the Baylor Hospital system here in Texas. And Eden’s a clinical nutritionist. Well, if she goes back to work in the fall. She took the last year off as maternity leave but we’re on the fence still about when she’ll go back to work.”
Shiloh nodded slowly, chewing on her bottom lip.
“What about Javi?”
Fuck.Things were going so well. My stomach dropped to the floor, and I started sweating. I was surprised when I felt Shiloh’s hand on my thigh, squeezing it tightly. I wrapped my hand over hers. Shy gave her usual blank stare, but I knew she was unnerved with her hand in mine and her leg bouncing like crazy.
“Actually, I think maybe we should talk after dinner.”
I noticed Sebastian quirk his brow at Shy, and I wondered what their silent conversation was about. Thankfully, Ruthie started throwing her food to signal she had finished eating and we began clearing the table.
After helping my mom clean up, I went to go find Shiloh to see how she was doing but stopped in my tracks when I saw her and Sebastian talking in the hall. He was speaking to herin Spanish, and she looked on edge, her jaw clenched as she stared up at him. Shiloh must’ve noticed my presence and her hazel eyes met mine with a pleading stare. I walked over to her, slipping my hand into hers and squeezing it in reassurance.
“Hey, Nox. Shiloh and I are kind of having a private conversation,” Sebastian raised his brows at me, as if silently telling me to leave.
“He can stay,” Shiloh said firmly.
“Okay then,” Sebastian cleared his throat, glancing down at our intertwined hands.
“So,” he raised his brow at Shiloh. “What’s going on with Javier?”
Shy growled in her throat, shutting her eyes and shaking her head slightly.
“Are you embarrassed or something?” When she didn’t answer, Sebastian dug in deeper. “Then what, Shiloh?” He threw his hands up in annoyance.
Shiloh dug her fingernails into the back of my hand.
“Fine. You don’t want to tell me then I’ll call Javi myself and ask. Give me his number.”
“No.”
My hand was sweating but Shy didn’t seem to care as she held on tightly, bouncing her leg with nerves.
“Shiloh, something is going on. I know you. I know when you’re trying to lie. So just tell me already. I don’t understand why you won’t just tell me the truth. It’s not that hard. So, unless you want me to go to Javier, you’re gonna tell me what the hell is going on.”
