Page 3 of Defending What is Mine

Chapter Two

Sam:Then—Last August

“Really, Mol? You don’t think it’d be a little strange? Your very first invitation to one of your boyfriend’s family dinners and you invite along family of your own?” I cross my arms. “Really?”

Mollie lowers her eyeliner and stares at me through the mirror. “Hank is the one who invited you, not me. Honestly, after everything that’s happened, you might know Jack and Gabe better than I do. And heck, you’ve already had Marie babysit for you.” Mollie winks as she mentions her boyfriend’s mom. “So why not?”

I bring my hand to my hip and let out an over-the-top, dramatic sigh. “I say again, because you don’t need a third and fourth wheel. That seems like a good reason why not to me.”

My cousin Mollie (though we were raised as sisters), usually the sweet and considerate one of the two of us, digs deep and pulls from my own bag of dirty tricks. “I hope you realize if you and Nessa don’t come tonight, you’ll be making the evening super awkward for me because everyone is expecting you.”

Girl, I’d be so proud of you right now—if you had used that crap on anyone other than me.

“Fine. But Nessa and I will meet you there. I don’t want to end up stuck half the night, waiting for you and Hank to stop it with the googly eyes just so I can come home and wash off the awkward of an evening with someone else’s family.”

Mollie smiles as she brings the eyeliner back to her eye. “Deal.”

* * *

I shift the car into park, but leave the engine running as I stare at the house.

“What’s the matter, Mommy? Aren’t we going inside?”

I drum my thumbs against the steering wheel, eyeing the row of vehicles parked in front. “I’m still deciding.”

A whine catches our attention and Vanessa strains against her booster seat in the back, trying to get a look out my window. “What’s that sound?”

“I’m not…” My words fade into a chuckle when a set of paws pop into view, with a set of blue eyes and perky ears right behind. While I’m no canine expert, judging by the merle coloring of the sideways head straining to see into the car, I’d guess a shepherd of some type.

“Oh Mommy, look how pretty. Can I get out and pet her? At least while you decide if we’re staying?”

I want to tell her no. I want to tell her the dog might be dangerous. Or aggressive. I want to say anything that doesn’t mean opening the door, because once I do that, I know this dinner is going to happen. But when the dog sees us, she starts frantically licking the window and the smile on my face is the answer Vanessa was waiting for. She has her seatbelt unlatched and the door open before I can shut off the engine. I scramble out after her, choking myself on my seatbelt as I do. When I come around to the front of the car, I find Vanessa knocked back on her bottom and the shepherd standing over her, licking her face.

“You certainly do make friends fast.” Still giggling, I shoo the dog back and extend a hand to my little girl. “Come on, let’s dust you off before we go inside.”

The canine patiently stays by Vanessa’s side as we climb the front porch steps. When we reach the door, I look down at my smiling girl and take a deep breath. “You ready?” I ask, painting on my best fake smile, as I rap my knuckle against the door.

Unsure if my knock was loud enough to be heard over the voices inside, I bring my hand back up to the door as it opens. Standing in front of me is a very different version of Jack Wilde from the one I previously met. A freshly shaven, handsomely smiling, well-dressed version.

Mommy likes.

The last time I saw him was when Mollie went missing. That night was pretty much the definition of frantic, but still…how did I not spend more time appreciating this slice of heaven? Standing face to face, I stare at him like an idiot while I desperately search for my words.

The right words…

Some words…

Okay, any words…!

Come on, I know that I know words. I’ve used them before. Just a few seconds ago. God help me, this is gonna be a long night. Great, now my mouth is over salivating. I look away to get myself under control.

“Good evening ladies. Glad you could make it.” Jack’s smile sparkles as he speaks. “Please come in,” he says, motioning us into the house as he steps out of the way.

What kind of toothpaste does he use? How does one casually ask what toothpaste a person uses without making it weird?

A tug at my arm snaps me out of the spicy little daydream now playing in my mind. When I look down, I see Vanessa yanking at my hand as she attempts to pull me inside.

“Right. Sorry.” I blush. “You ever have one of those moments where you can’t remember if you left the coffee pot on?” I ask while trying to avoid any further eye contact with Captain Sexy Pants.

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