Page 44 of Captivated By Him

“Thank you, Mr. Staszek. For everything. It’s all been very nice.” I say to him, and I mean it. Even if it is just pretend, it was nice to have.

“Do you see?” Joseph points at me while giving a stern look at his children. “Finally, someone in this family knows gratitude.”

I sit back in my chair, my face heating.

“Don’t let him get started,” Jakub says, reaching for a basket of bread rolls in front of him.

The conversation falls into a comfortable banter between them all, leaving me to eat my meal in peace. Joseph’s housekeeper has put out a delicious spread for us. I stuff a forkful of potato dumplings into my mouth when I’m pulled into the conversation again.

“Jakub told us about your father, Nicole. I’m so sorry to hear,” Lena says to me, brushing her shoulder against mine.

“Thank you,” I say.

“Do you have any other family?” Lena asks, stabbing a piece of ham from her plate.

“Lena.” Micah nudges her.

“It’s all right.” I take a small sip of my Pinot Grigio. “My mother died when I was in fifth grade. It’s just been me and Dad since then.”

“I’m so sorry,” Kasia says. “Was she ill?”

“No.” I shake my head, moving my gaze downward. It’s not my shame, yet still every time I repeat it somehow, I sense it inside me. “She was an addict. She overdosed while I was at soccer practice after school.” I take a much larger gulp of my wine.

Jakub tenses beside me. Maybe he’s just realizing there is so much we don’t know about each other.

“Oh, God.” Kasia frowns. “My mother died suddenly as well when I was young. I’m so sorry you went through that.”

After another sip, I put my glass down and dive back into my food. “Thank you. It was hard, but Dad was good. He took good care of me.”

Jakub’s knuckles casually graze over mine as our hands rest on the tabletop.

Dominik turns the conversation again and I push my plate away. I’m tired and no longer hungry.

“Are you ready to go home?” Jakub whispers in my ear then pecks my cheek.

“Won’t it be rude to leave so early? They haven’t even had dessert yet.” Not that I could stomach any more sweetness. It’s all been very much, and I would like to crawl into bed.

By the look in Jakub’s eyes, I think he’s thinking the same thing. But for very different reasons.

“It’s our party. We can leave when I say.” He pulls away from me and gets to his feet. “We’re going to head out. Nicole’s had a long day and…” He pauses. “Well, I want to leave.”

Dominik smirks, but quickly hides it behind his glass.

Joseph laughs. “Yes. Go. It’s your wedding night.” He winks in my direction. My face flames.

Before I can give a proper goodbye, Jakub pulls me from the dining room.

“Jakub, that was sort of rude, don’t you think?” I say as we walk down the front steps toward his car.

“I don’t really care.” He pulls his keys out and hits the fob to unlock the door.

“It’s not even that late.” I say, climbing into the passenger side of the car. He holds the door open and peers in at me.

“It will be by the time I’m done with you, wife.” He winks then shuts the door.

What in the world have I gotten myself into?

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