“I’m just so glad you’re okay,” he whispered into my ear, before giving me a few pats on the back and letting go.
“Come on, let’s go eat. Jack is an amazing chef.”
“You look like you’ve been eating better,” Murray quipped, winking at me.
“If you’re calling me fat, I’ll call the Golden Girls back.”
“Golden Girls?”
“Yeah, the other dogs. They’re called Sophia, Dorothy, Blanche, and Rose.”
Murray chuckled. “That’s amazing.”
Bucky and I led the way into the house. When I took off my shoes, even Dad followed suit. Although I guess they were all wearing loafer type footwear, making it easy enough.
They put their coats on the rack by the door and followed me into the kitchen.
“I’ll make everyone drinks,” I said, walking directly to the coffee machine. “Coffee or tea?” Then I looked at Murray, “Or cocoa?”
He smirked at me. “A latte would be fine.”
“Cocoa it is.” I made him a mocha because I could.
Dad chuckled at our antics. “Normally I’d say Irish, but let’s go with black.”
“A latte for me as well,” Percy said evenly.
He was the one who looked around the place, clearly very interested in what he was seeing.
Jack moved a bowl of pasta salad onto the island. “We have Lake and Theo’s room downstairs, along with everything you see here, the utility room, and Lake’s office. Upstairs has four bedrooms.”
“There’s a solo room and one with bunk beds above the new stable,” I added as I made Dad’s coffee. “Babe, coffee?” I asked over my shoulder, then realized what I’d called him in front of Dad and the guys.
“Sure,” Jack answered in a casual tone. “Anyone want juice or water?”
Once the drinks were sorted, Jack gestured at the island. “I thought this is easiest.”
I grabbed a plate from the pile and filled it with all the goodies Jack had made. I wasn’t sure how much I’d be able to eat, but I didn’t want to show that immediately.
Things were going pretty well so far, much better than I’d expected, but I wasn’t counting on it lasting.
As we settled to eat, Murray and Percy took one of the tables, leaving the other to Dad, Jack, and me.
Jack moved his chair so that it was closer to mine and pressed his leg against mine for support.
We started to eat, and everyone complimented Jack’s food, which was no surprise to me.
“We’re spoiled here.” I grinned at Jack, who smiled at me.
He cleared his throat. “I’ve mostly worked as a private chef for the last decade, but this has been my home base for many years now. And now I have a reason to stay.”
We locked gazes and only snapped out of it when someone’s fork scratched their plate.
Dad looked between Jack and me, clearly trying to figure out if he wanted to say something.
“Look, I know there’s a big age gap,” I started, then spent a few moments gathering my words. “It’s not easy, but now that I’m eighteen we can see if it goes anywhere. The promise of something really good is there, has been since last summer. We just haven’t acted on any of it, because neither of us would while I was underage.”
Before either Dad or Jack had time to comment, I lifted a hand. “And this is the safest I’ve ever felt in my life, Dad.”
