Hal intercepts Jonathan as he picks up the glass pitcher.He says something only his oldest son can hear.They exchange a steely gaze before Jonathan disappears into the dining room with the tea.
I sit across from Jonathan with Hal at the head of the table, his youngest son and wife on either side of him.I keep trying to catch Jonathan’s eye, but he won’t look up from scowling at his plate.
The table is animated with Ryan being the entertainment, sharing accounts of his basketball game—Hal adding details not important to the ten-year-old.Jonathan’s brother has no problem teasing his father or being goofy in his retelling to make everyone laugh.He even gets Jonathan to smile and receives a tousle of the hair in return.He has me fully engaged in his storytelling, laughing along with his big gestures and silly voices.
“When’s your next performance?”Samantha asks me.
I’m stunned for a moment.“You know I dance?”
She smiles like I’m being modest.“Jonathan told me.”
This is the first time our eyes meet across the table.Jonathan’s neck is pink.Is he embarrassed?I want to lean over the table and kiss him—he’s so fricken cute right now, being called out by his mom.
“December twentieth,” I tell her, still smiling at Jonathan.
“Maybe we can come—”
“No,” Jonathan and I say at the same time.
I bite my lip.“Sorry.”
Hal tilts his head, not pleased that his wife is being shut down.
“I get too nervous.I’ve never let anyone attend my shows other than my parents my entire life.”
Hal laughs like this is the funniest thing he’s heard all night.My face is the color of the apples tucked into the centerpiece.His laugh tapers off.“You’re serious?”He looks to Jonathan.“You’ve never seen her dance?”Jonathan shakes his head.“But you’re on a stage, in front of an audience.You’re a dancer, for damn sake.”
“Hal”—Samantha sets a hand on his arm—“don’t embarrass her.”
“I just don’t get it.”He scoffs with a shake of his head.
When I glance at Jonathan, his jaw is clenched.He looks like he’s about to tip the table over.
“It’s fine,” I assure them both.“I know it sounds silly.I’m superstitious, and I guess this is just one of those things I started when I was little and am afraid to give up now.So, I only ever let my parents watch me.”I look at Ryan.“Like wearing the same pair of socks when you’re on a winning streak,” referencing a story he shared.
“Man, those things stank,” he says, causing his family to laugh.
“But I guess—”
“Do you mind if I show Sadie around?”Jonathan asks, scooting his chair back and picking up his plate and glass.
“Sure,” his mother replies, cutting off whatever Hal was about to say.And I have a feeling it wasn’t going to be yes.
“Thank you,” I say, gathering my dinner setting as well.“This was so nice.”
“Anytime,” Hal replies.Samantha rubs his shoulder.“And I mean that.Come by anytime.”
I smile, appreciating the open invitation.Although I’m not sure how Jonathan feels about it.He nearly drops his glass.
Chapter Twenty-Two
You okay?”I ask himas he loads our plates and silverware into the dishwasher.He eyes the open doorway as Hal’s deep, bellowing laughter funnels in.
Jonathan doesn’t respond.Instead, he takes my hand and leads me into the family room or grand room, or whatever it is, and straight outside, snagging our jackets along the way.He doesn’t pause to let us put them on.I brace against the cold and continue after him.
“Where are we going?”
“My room.”
