I shook my head, and he looked me over once again.
“Sorry, I just…shoot, sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I’m just shocked. I would have never,everguessed you were Latina,” he said. “That’s…cool.”
He laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck, before placing the last set of silverware down.
I rolled my eyes and was startled by an arm falling across my shoulder. I jerked forward into Nox and spun around, ready to fight whoever just touched me.
“Crap, sorry,” Jae said, holding his hands up with a sheepish smile. “Didn’t mean to, um, scare you.”
I realized Nox was holding my biceps when he stroked his hands up and down my arm in a soothing motion. Somehow, I’d managed to stand with my back against his chest and my cheeks heated. I awkwardly shrugged him off, stepping away from his body, before clearing my throat.
“Forget it. Um, do we need to get plates?” I asked, glancing at the table.
“Nah, we do buffet style set up in the kitchen, and everyone makes their way around to fill their plates. But I do need to grab the highchair for Ruthie.”
I nodded, watching him leave before awkwardly meeting Jae’s eyes. I think I recognized him from PE class freshman year. Although he seemed to have dyed his naturally black hair, blond. And he’d definitely gained some muscle post-puberty.Must play a sport or something with Nox because those biceps sure as shit didn’t grow themselves. Nor did Nox’s abs.I rolled my eyes to myself.Ew, Shiloh. Stop checking them out.
“So, I dunno if Nox has mentioned me before, but we’re cousins and also best friends.”
“No, I’ve literally spent, like, three hours total with him since we met. I just helped him with math is all. We’re not, like, actually friends or anything.”
Jae scrunched up his face in doubt before shrugging. “Well, it’s nice to meet you anyhow, Shiloh. Sorry, I’m not great at small talk.”
I scoffed, “I can tell.”
He pursed his lips, and I realized I was probably coming off as a bitch but couldn’t find the energy to apologize for it. My stomach growled again, and Jae laughed, patting my shoulder.
“Ah, hanger. I get it. You want a snack or something?”
“No,” I shook my head, silently chastising my stomach for making such an embarrassing fuss. “Mrs., um, Shelby said that dinner was about to be ready.”
“Well, you should get your plate first. You’re the guest anyways.”
Nox returned with a highchair that he pulled up to the end of the table and Shelby called out to say that dinner was ready.
“Shiloh’s got dibs,” Jae hollered back, heading into the kitchen. “She’s hangry. And our guest.”
I cringed, shaking my head at Nox who ushered me into the kitchen.
“That’s reallynotnecessary.”
I was ignored, however, and a plate landed in my hands. I was suddenly face to face with a line of dishes that looked heavenly. I looked over at Shelby, unsure how much I should serve myself.Do I just take a spoonful of everything? Am I supposed to choose one dish?Fuck, why do I have to be so socially awkward?
“Oh shoot, I am so sorry, honey. Do you have any dietary restrictions?” She asked me with a horrified expression.
“No-no, ma’am. I can eat anything.”
She sighed with relief. “Well, go on then. Dish up whatever looks good.”
I nodded, realizing I was holding up the line of family members waiting and gave myself the smallest spoonful of every dish. By the time I reached the end, my stomach flipped because I wasn’t sure if I should wait or if I should go straight to the table.
“Come on,” Nox said from behind me.
I nodded and followed him to the dining room, taking a seat on the bench beside him in the middle of the table. Jae sat on Nox’s other side, and I clasped my hands in my lap waiting to follow their lead.
When they didn’t pick up their forks, I assumed we were waiting for everyone to sit before digging in. My mouth was watering at the sight of my filled plate. Chicken, potatoes, greens, salad, mac’n’cheese, and a biscuit with gravy. Comfort food.Realfood, unlike the samples from the pretzel shop at the mall and freezer-burned lunch at school.
Sebastian sat on my other side, and I tried not to wince when he bumped into my shoulder and gave me a smile. Everyone got settled into their seats, including another sibling of Enoch’s I hadn’t met earlier but recognized from the family portrait. Everyone suddenly held hands around the table, and I stared awkwardly down at Seb and Nox’s.
