“Oh, don’t stop on our account, it looked fun, who normally wins?” Lilly asked.
“I do.” They both answered and then burst into laughter.
“Come and sit down and dig in, there’s enough to feed an army, take whatever you want,” Jack said and patted the seat next to him.
Elijah sat in the seat next to Olivia and snatched the bread stick out her hand and ate half of it in one go. It got him a slap on the arm and the other half was snatched back by Olivia and eaten.
“Lilly, what are you going to do next with your life, are you really going to work behind that bar at Blue’s? Surely you don’t need the money,” Jack asked.
“I’ve no idea what to do next. I’ve got savings but they won’t last forever. I should be ok for a year. Working behind the bar will keep me occupied but it won’t be my chosen career. Drawing and painting are what I would like to do but I’m not sure in what capacity.”
“Why don’t you take over the painting at Blue’s? Elijah, why haven’t you asked her to do that yet?” Olivia asked through a mouthful of fresh bread.
All eyes looked to Elijah for an answer. He looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights. He wanted to ask Lilly but was worried it would turn into the same as him and Elaine.
“Um, would you want to paint the wall at Blue’s?” Elijah asked sheepishly, he was embarrassed that he was asking in front of Jack and Olivia.
“Are you kidding? I’d love to, are you sure you could trust me to do it?” Lilly said.
“I’ve no problem with you doing it after what I’ve seen you do so far, if you’re happy then I’m happy.”
Olivia and Jack high-fived over the table. Theywere delighted with themselves and when they were caught grinning at each other, they changed their expressions to ones of innocence. It didn’t last longer than half a minute before the smiles broke out again.
“So does this mean you are officially a couple?” Olivia asked.
“Are they always this forward?” Lilly mocked mimed to Elijah.
“No, this is a whole new side to them, they’ve never been this keen about anyone I’ve dated before.” Elijah answered.
“We’re still here you know,” Olivia said and pouted.
“It’s true, and you’ve never been this keen,” Elijah said.
“You’ve never been this in love. In fact I don’t think you have ever referred to love in the same sentence as a woman before brother,” Jack added.
Elijah dropped his head into his hands and groaned, he could have killed his brother for revealing the love part. He’d told him in confidence about how he felt. Next, he would start talking about his gift and then he would sink under the table, mortified.
“Oh Elijah, will you give your gift to Lilly soon?” Olivia asked bouncing in her seat and clapping like a mad woman.
“You told her Jack, really?” Elijah asked, defeated as he knew he probably had.
“No secrets between us Elijah, which is the secret to a happy relationship, no secrets,” Jack said smugly.
“What gift?” Lilly asked.
“Nothing that we can talk about here, I’ll talk to you another time, probably when I give it to you,” Elijah said.
“Oh Jack,” Olivia said and sighed. “He said when and not if, she’s it, oh my God, I am so happy right now.”
“Easy there Liv, your hormones are in overdrive, don’tscare Lilly at this stage.” Jack cautioned and lifted her wrist to kiss it. “We’ve only just got her to come to dinner.”
Elijah sneaked a look at Lilly to see how she was doing being talked about and having their relationship talked about so openly. It thrilled him when he saw she was smiling and at him. She was cool with the situation and his heart thudded a few extra beats in celebration.
“We’ve sorted you two out, now I want to know what your kink is Lilly.” Jack winked at her.
The wine had been flowing and Lilly was just about to answer when an object hurtled through the air at Jack. He successfully dodged the bread roll and roared with laughter.
“Stop talking about sex like its normal, not everyone is as open as you Jack, cut it out,” Elijah warned.
