Page 18 of The Sound Of Silence

“Where’s Ashley?” I ask. “She’s never one to be late.”

Mom waves her hand in the air like I’m talking nonsense. “She’s not late. She’s busy. I told her not to worry about what time she got here. We’d wait to order.”

Of course, we will.I’m not entirely sure when Ashley became the favorite, but it’s been so long that Pippa and I just kind of came to accept it. Although this is a little more extreme.

“Okay,” I say with a smile. “I guess we’ll wait.”

And wait we do.

It’s another fifteen minutes before Ashley and Jonah walk past the window on their way in, and Mom doesn’t say a word. She doesn’t even comment to Dad under her breath. Meanwhile, Pippa’s had to keep the conversation going because I’m too busy stuck in my head, and Jesse’s keeping to himself.

“Oh Pippa?” Mom gasps. “You didn’t introduce Willow to Jesse when she arrived,” she rushes out before Ashley and Jonah sit down, as though she needs to get this out of the way so the conversation can move to her golden child.

“It’s okay. We go way back,” I say, affectionately bumping my shoulder to his before instantly regretting it, praying the lighting is too dim for anyone to notice the pink hue undoubtedly coating my skin.

I feel Jesse’s eyes flash to mine, and without looking, I know it’s not going to be a pleasant expression. Pretending I don’t notice, I laugh at my mom’s panic because at least it takes the focus off me.

“How do you—”

“Don’t stress, Mom,” Pippa interjects. “They met yesterday at the florist.”

Mom relaxes, trying to hide her obvious concern, worried about another scandal brewing between her children and their significant others. While everyone seems to have forgotten about it now, there was a time when the Ashley, Jonah, and Pippa saga was a constant source of gossip.And then my drama took over.

“Oh yes, Debbie mentioned you were helping Lucia,” she says with a smile. “Please let me know if you need a hand. I know you have Sara this weekend, but I could probably give you a couple of free hours on Monday.”

“Thanks, Mom,” I say, genuinely grateful for the offer. “I might just take you up on that. Lucia has someone booked to—”

“We’re here,” Ashley announces when they reach the table, completely ignoring the fact that Mom and I are in conversation. And unlike when I did the same thing, Mom pauses and turns to her darling number one.

“Did you get everything done, dear?”

“We did.” Ashley beams. “Everyone’s been very accommodating.”

I’ll bet.I mentally roll my eyes while in reality a smile lights up my face.

Jesse grins, along with the rest of the table, only I have a strong feeling that the first smile he’s shown for the night is in response to my fake expression, rather than my sister. And when my eyes flash to his, sure enough, he gives me a pointed look confirming my suspicion. He’s enjoying this.

What is with him?I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong, but he seems to have something against me. I’ve heard of instalust or love, but instahateis new to me.

My smile widens in response, only making him even more obnoxious, and it’s then that I remember I’m stuck with him for three nights, or is it four?Goddammit.Does he even know that? Is that why he’s so pissed off? I wish I’d been a fly on the wall during that conversation.

As soon as Ashley and Jonah sit down, a server finally appears to take our order. Honestly, you’d think someone advised them to wait for our queen's arrival because where were they before?

Ashley and Mom keep the conversation flowing, and it’s not until I’m halfway through my fettuccine that I notice Pippa hasn’t spoken a word since Ashley or Jonah said hello.

“Oh Pippa!” I exclaim excitedly so the entire table can hear me. “I forgot to tell you that in the two days you’ve been here, you’ve definitely become the talk of the town. YouandJesse. It’s like you’re the king and queen.”

I have no idea if any of that’s true, but I know it will boost Pippa’s confidence and piss Ashley off at the same time, so it’s a win-win. And judging by the half grunt I just heard beside me, I’d say it’s a triple victory.

As suspected, Pippa laughs out loud before playfully rolling her eyes, as if she didn’t bring Jesse home hoping that would happen, and for a little while after that, conversation flows naturally.

Maybe I was wrong to be worried.

There’ve been no arguments, no snide remarks, nothing. Pippa and Jonah even have an actual conversation about whether or not she gets to watch Jesse’s games. Yes, it’s curt and a little forced, but it happens. Maybe bringing Jesse homewasa good idea.

We’ve just finished up a playful argument about the new chain restaurant that’s moved in across the street, when Ashley brings the entire ceasefire to an end using only six short words.

“So, Jesse. I’m curious, why Pippa?”

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