Emily had noted some time ago that Jake’s shoulders were broader than Robert’s. She also knew Jake had been working out twice a day with Daniel. How would Robert react when Jake beat him at the arm wrestle they were already preparing for by clearing the end of the table?
By unspoken agreement, Ben stood as moderator. Emily and Amy watched, amused as Robert’s and Jake’s veins stood out on their temples, and their biceps bulged with the effort.
Jake won the first round.
“That’s not fair,” Robert said. “You have positional advantage. Trade me seats.”
Robert and Jake switched seats, and Robert won round two. Jake won round three, but Robert wasn’t ready to concede.
“Left-handed this time,” Robert said, bracing his left elbow on the table.”
Emily couldn’t help herself, she cheered when Jake won.
“Fine,” Robert grumbled. “I admit it, my not-so-little brother is stronger than I am. Ben do you want to have a go? My ego needs a boost.”
“No way, I’ve gotten soft since going back to the law office. I should come workout with you.”
“As much as I hate to admit it, you could probably beat me right now. Jake wore me out.” Robert rubbed his shoulder.
“By the way,” Ben said to Robert, “everyone knew about the twins. The girls told the whole school.”
“Is that why I had no problem getting a date that year?” He smiled. “And why most of the girls wanted to make out?”
“Do you want to know what I’ve figured out about you, Robert?” Emily asked.
The room fell silent, all eyes darted back and forth between Robert and Emily.
“I don’t know,” Robert said with an uncomfortable chuckle. “My ego is already bruised, I’m not sure I can handle you telling me I’m cocky and self-centered.”
“Sometimes, the truth hurts, doesn’t it?” Ben said.
“Some might call it egotistical and cocky, but I call it confident and self-assured. Unlike many who are self-centered, I can tell you care for those closest to you. You would do anything for them.” Emily held Robert’s gaze, but she saw both Jake and Ben nodding out of the corner of her eye. “You have a protective and caring nature. That’s probably why you chose law enforcement. But you know you can’t always be there to protect the ones you love.” She glanced at Jake, then back to Robert. “So you taught them to be strong. You encouraged Jake to work out, and you wrestled with him to test and motivate him. What little I’ve seen of Riley, I recognize that you’ve encouraged her to be strong and independent also, in different ways. You did a good job.” She paused for a moment. “I can tell you have loved deeply, but you’ve been hurt in that regard, haven’t you?” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jake and Ben exchange an incredulous look. She wouldn’t tell them she had learned that tidbit of information from Faith. “You try to hide it, but for someone like you, who cares so much, it left scars. I wonder if she has any idea what she walked away from.”
The room was quiet when Emily stopped talking. Robert’s eyes narrowed, but he smiled. He was clearly uncomfortable with what Emily said yet acted pleased. Trying to diffuse the tension she’d created, she shrugged. “But I could be wrong.”
“You aren’t,” Jake and Ben said simultaneously.
Amy stood. “Who’s ready for cake?”
Obviously, the tension needed more diffusing.
Emily had just taken her first bite of the decadent chocolate cake with layers of chocolate mousse and ganache, when Jake spoke. “I love your cake, Amy, but I’ll always associate it with Debbie.”
Ben chuckled, Robert snorted, and Emily looked at Jake, confused.
Robert leaned forward. “Last fall during Providence’s Fall Festival Amy had thisgreatidea to raise money.”
Emily caught the sarcasm in Robert’s voice.
“She suggested a bachelor auction. You know, where the women bid on the bachelors to win a date with them?” Jake said.
Emily nodded. She could see where this was going. Of course, Debbie with all her money won the bachelor auction, but what did Amy’s delicious cake have to do with the auction?
“In my defense,” Amy broke in, “all I did was suggest it. The other women loved the idea and ran with it.”
Jake pointed his fork at Amy. “To me, it will always be your fault.”
Robert held up a forkful of cake. “She used this chocolate cake to bribe Jake and me to agree to the auction.”
