Friday night after my shower, the aroma of steak hits my nostrils, and I almost trip running downstairs. I’ve never been hungrier. But I don’t think it’s hunger for food that has me dashing into the kitchen.
Victor.
He looks as delicious as it smells in the kitchen. He’s cooking.
“Do you need help?” I ask.
He turns to face me and his bright green eyes lock with mine. The desire in his eyes is matched by the same in mine. My body is on high alert.
“No, almost done.”
I don’t want to give him a chance to turn his back on me so I blurt out, “I’m sorry for what I said last week.”
Before I can read his face, Alek and Abi walk in hand in hand. Victor is avoiding my eyes, but I’m determined to change that and this dinner is my chance.
We all sit down at the small kitchen table.
“I’ve been looking forward to dinner. It’s nice to be with you,” I say, and I hope Victor catches the meaning in my words.
Abi reaches out and pats my hand.
“We’re glad you’re here, Tia.”
I glance at Victor, but he’s staring at his steak as if it’s alive.
“How’s work and the fitness classes you’ve been taking? I’ve never imagined the day Twinkle would actually exercise. Your nose was always in the books.” Alek’s smile is broad.
“I love them all. I did yoga with a guy who had the longest ponytail I’ve seen in my life. He talked softly and when he asked us to close our eyes, I felt… peace. Then he started going into different poses, and he definitely stretched my comfort zone.”
I peer at Victor, whose lips are slightly turned up. I’m feeling all kinds of brave now, so I come up with a plan.
“My favorite pose is downward dog.”
Victor loses his grip on his steak knife, which falls with a clunk onto the plate. Abi laughs hard, but Alek narrows his eyes at me knowingly. When the room quiets, I continue.
“Next day I took Zumba. I was really embarrassed the first half of the class because I felt so uncoordinated, but then my muscles relaxed. And the instructor was so friendly, and the music so upbeat, that I kept on shaking it.”
I do a little booty shake in my chair. Victor’s lips curve in a faint smile, and I want to keep my silly mood going.
“Talking about being friendly…” Alek chews and pauses. I don’t like where he’s going with this, and I sigh.
“I don’t like it when you’re too friendly with my teammates.”
My blood boils in my veins. “They stopped by, and we were just talking.”
With the corner of my eye, I detect the stiffness in Victor’s body.
“Don’t worry, Twinkle. I told all of them in the locker room that you’re my sister and they should leave you alone or they’ll deal with me.”
“Thank you for embarrassing me, Alek.” I put down my fork and knife. “Have you thought that at some point in time I’d like to start dating? You can’t scare away every guy that comes near me.”
“No one is good enough for you, Twinkle. I can’t think of a single guy that deserves you.”
Victor chokes on a bite of food and takes a long sip of water.
Abi eyes Victor and cackles under her breath. And Alek just goes on eating, as if he’s not being a total controlling jerk.
I should keep my mouth shut. From prior experience, I’ve learned nothing good comes out of my mouth when I’m gritting my teeth and biting the inside of my cheeks.
