“Was that weird?” I say to Jenson, barely moving my lips. As the daughter of a man constantly in the public eye, I learned how to smile and talk without changing my face a long time ago.
“We’re family,” Jenson says to me in a low tone. “Dinner together is expected. If he’s angling for something else, that’s his problem.”
“You’re right,” I say, feeling sad for some reason. “But you know Calvin. He’s always been an ass.”
“I know.” He catches my eye as the waitress hands out menus to the group of us. “Just ignore the noise,” he murmurs to me as he opens his menu. “Let’s get our favorite.”
Chicken fajitas. We used to order this dish every year before the fair. Until Jenson moved away, he and I went to the fair together every year.
“You haven’t been to the fair in so long,” I say as I reach for my glass of water.
“I know. I might be late getting there because of team practice, but Kyle and Connor are stoked to go.”
“I bet they are,” Cara says. “They’ll love some of the silly events.”
“Silly?” Sheldon says in mock offense. “Baby, I live for those events. I’m going to win something this year. Mark my words.”
The four of us chat casually throughout dinner, catching up on little things. Like how Jenson loves guacamole now.
“What?!” I say.
Jenson breaks into a laugh.
“You hated guacamole forever!” I say.
“I got started on it in Pittsburgh. The group of quarterbacks I was coaching were all obsessed with avocado, and one day at practice, I promised them that if none of them threw an interception, I’d take them out for Mexican, and I’d eat a dish of guacamole on my own. The fuckers played perfect football that day. I swear the defense helped them out by playing like shit, but I had to keep my word.”
Sheldon chuckles. “And? You learned the joys of guacamole that Olivia’s been telling you about since we were kids?”
Jenson points to his menu. “I did. You all want to share a bowl of it with some tortilla chips?”
“Count me in,” Sheldon says as he and Cara excuse themselves for the restroom. “Be right back; order us more beers too.”
Jenson turns to me. “What about you? You want to share a bowl of guacamole?”
“I’d love to.” I’d love to share anything with this man. “I’ve missed this. Hanging out together.”
The emerald of his eyes darkens. “Me too.”
* * *
After dinner, Jenson and I say goodnight to everyone outside the restaurant.
“Make sure to walk Olivia to her door,” Mom begs Jenson. “She always insists she’s safe, but I prefer her to have a companion when it’s this dark out.”
“I will, Nora,” Jenson says.
We wave goodbye and turn for my house.
Within minutes, we’re completely alone.
“So I cracked and told Dylan and Brayden about us,” he says immediately.
“I figured you wouldn’t have much of a choice. Their expressions were pretty priceless when the realization seemed to hit them.”
“No shit.” He lets out a short laugh. “Not the way I pictured filling them in on the most important woman in my life.”
I inhale sharply. “J…”
