Page 9 of Crave

“See? We haven’t gone extinct.” After I sit down, he walks away, but he comes back soon with a glass of water for each of us.

“Your parents are nice,” I say to him as I sip my drink.

“They are. They’re the best. What about your parents?”

“It’s just my mom. My father died when I was around five, so I have very few memories of him.”

“You have a sister, right?”

“I do and we’re very, very close.”

“I remember what it’s like to be close to a sibling.” As if on cue, I spot Troy and Luke walking towards our table together, laughing at something Troy just said. Jacob clenches his jaw as he watches them before he finishes his wine in one gulp.

“What happened between you and your brothers?” It’s obvious there’s friction between him and Troy, and Luke has clearly sided with Troy.

“I’ll tell you, but not now. If you want to know, you’ll have to see me again.” He smiles, and all doubts I had disappear.

“Then I guess you’ll tell me next time.” I nervously rub a hand on my thigh. Jacob calms me by laying his hand on top of mine. I turn to look at him, and as if I have no control over my free hand, I run it through the scruff on his cheek.

“You only get more beautiful with each year, dear. Sixty is the new fifty.” Josh Clark’s voice finally forces me to look away from Jake and remove my hand from his face, but I’m not quick enough. Everyone notices, and I see his parents exchange a look. Troy looks from me to Jake and smiles warmly at me. The only one who remains stoic is Luke, who doesn’t bother to look at Jake.

“So, Sandy, do you work in the bakery with your mom?” Troy asks.

Jake’s grip on my hand strengthens.

“I’m pretty much free labor whenever she needs it. I’m a nurse,” I respond.

“Do you work at one of the hospitals, dear?” his mother asks.

“No. I work at a pediatrician’s office not too far from here, actually.”

“A girl with a career who loves her mother. I knew I liked you,” his father says just as the salads are being served.

Luke looks over at us before he leans in and whispers something in Troy’s ear. Troy looks at him and shakes his head. Luke lets out a loud chuckle, and I can’t help but feel like the butt of a private joke.

“Do you have something you want to say to me, Lukey?” Jake asks.

“If I did, I would say it to you,Jakey,” Luke says. “Not everything is about you. Try to remember that.”

“Enough!” I jump back when Josh slams his fist on the table.

“So, when is JD getting here?” Luke asks, changing the subject. “Can’t wait to see if Mom’s matchmaking skills will work.”

“JD snoozes, he loses,” Troy says looking between me and Jake. “Right, Jake?”

“Don’t,” Jake says, not even bothering to look in Troy’s direction.

Stunned and embarrassed by the rebuke, we eat in silence for the next several minutes, until Troy excuses himself. Once he gets up and walks out of the dining room, everyone looks around uncomfortably. The temperature gets even colder, and I’m left wondering how the hell I got stuck in this family drama.

Minutes later, Troy returns holding hands with a redheaded petite woman. She’s in black, her dress about two sizes too big for her small frame. She’s nervous as she approaches the table.

“Sandy, this is my wife, Tracy.” I look up and smile at the woman. She gives me a small smile back as she looks from me to Jake, surprise marring her green eyes. “Tracy, Sandy’s mom made the cake, and we are lucky enough to have her join us.” Tracy nods at me before she takes her seat.

Mrs. Clark is curt as she greets her daughter-in-law. Mr. Clark bestows Tracy with a tight smile, but Luke leans across the table and kisses Tracy’s cheek.

“Lovely that you can make it, Tracy,” Mrs. Clark says.

“The sitter had an emergency, so I had to wait for her.” Her left hand shakes as she picks up her water glass. She looks from me to Jake to her husband as she sips her water.

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