Page 100 of The Other Guy

“It’s… well, it’s a story, that’s for sure.”

He chuckles and it’s deep and husky and incredibly sexy. Everything about him is. His black shirt fits him perfectly. Not too tight but form fitting enough that it showcases his strong build.

Our salads are delivered and we dive in. I’m already starting to feel full but the food is too good to resist. I know I’ll be miserable when we leave but at least we’re getting exercise after this. At least, I assume riding a bull is exercise. Though I’m still a little confused by that part of the evening, I’ve never been one to shy away from an adventure.

Over steaks and creamy mashed potatoes loaded with cheese and bacon, we talk about everything and nothing. Places we’ve visited or want to visit, sports we played and music programs we participated in during high school, friendships, and family.

Both of us are technically only children, even though he considers Lily his sister now. The difference is that he now has a very large extended family and aside from Kyle, I don’t have any other family. It’s never felt like I was missing anything in my life, but that could be because I’m a private person.

“I gotta tell you something and I don’t know how you’re going to react, but I like where this could go between us and I don’t want secrets.”

I set down my knife and fork to give Jack my full attention.

“What is it?”

“You met my cousin at Balance the other day.”

“I did?”

“You did. And the reason I know this is because I had dinner with her older brother and my brother-in-law last night.”

I turn my head to the side. “That’s your secret? That you went to dinner with your family? You told me that already.”

“Yeah. I think I need to explain my family a little bit more.”

“Okay?” I fidget with my napkin in my lap, trying not to squirm.

“So, uh, Harper, she was your waitress at Balance, right?”

I nod.

“That’s my cousin. She took your picture.”

I scrunch up my nose. “No, she didn’t,” I say with a chuckle.

“Yeah, she did. My family… they’re very involved in each other’s lives. And that’s a very mild way to put it. And don’t worry, I yelled about it last night because I think it’s bullshit that she’d do that. But I want to apologize to you because it’s not okay.”

“Why did she take my picture?”

“Because the entire family knows that I’m interested in you and is taking it upon themselves to butt their big fat noses in the middle. Grady, my cousin, and Drew, my brother-in-law, they think you’re beautiful, which I obviously agree. But I’d have liked to have the chance to introduce you to them myself.”

“Wow.” He wants to introduce me to his family. It’s not really that much of a surprise or even unexpected, but hearing it makes it so much more real. But also hearing that his family thinks I’m beautiful is a nice little ego boost.

“I know you don’t have a lot of family and trust me when I say, I get that. Before my mom got together with James, it was just the two of us. They have never had a lot of boundaries, especially when it comes to each other. It’s overwhelming when you’re not used to it, and they often time forget their manners. Like taking a picture of someone without their permission.”

I sit quietly for a few seconds but can’t find it in me to be upset. Not really. It sounds like she didn’t take my picture maliciously or to make fun but because she was excited for Jack.

“It’s okay.”

“What?”

I shrug and place my hands back on the table, picking up my fork for a large bite of potatoes. Once I swallow, I explain. “It’s not a big deal. I’m glad you told me, of course. Here’s the deal, though. I can see that was hard for you for a couple reasons. On one hand, you don’t want me to think poorly of your family because you love them and understand where Harper was coming from. On the other hand, you respect me enough to tell me. I’m not upset, especially since they said I was beautiful,” I add with a smile and he chuckles, shaking his head and resumes eating again. “Plus, this could be fun.”

“Fun, how?” he asks, finishing off his steak.

“I can totally mess with them now.”

He throws his head back and laughs, deep and husky. His “Oh, yeah, you’ll fit right in.”

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