“Yeah, is that a problem?”
“But why? You never miss family dinner.”
She wasn’t wrong. He made it a mission to always attend. Whenever he missed in the beginning, it was because of his sour mood when his relationship ended. It had made his mom worry even more about him. So he hadn’t missed one in the last year and a half.
He sighed and looked at the clock. He was supposed to be at the resort already picking Jessa up. Noah grabbed his coat and keys and walked out to his truck parked in the garage.
“I have a date.”
“With Jessa?”
“Yes.”
“Well, bring her. I’ll put out an extra plate.”
Noah’s eyes widened. Bring Jessa to family dinner? No one brought dates to family dinner. It wasn’t how they operated. The only outsider to ever join them had been Mia, but that was because everyone knew Jackson needed to be with her and she was basically a part of the family already.
But anyone else? Nope.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Noah said as he pulled out of his garage and drove toward the resort.
“Yes, it is. It’s a great idea. We all need to get to know her, anyway. It’s settled. Bring her.”
Then the line went dead.
Noah’s eyes widened. “Shit.”
He immediately dialed Jackson’s number as he pulled into the resort parking lot. Jessa would already be in the lobby waiting for him and he didn’t want to make her wait, but he also didn’t want to subject her to a surprise family dinner.
When Jackson answered the phone, he was already laughing. “No, I’m not getting you out of this.”
Noah rolled his eyes and stepped out of his truck. “Jackson, take one for the team. Bring Mia or something.”
“How is me bringing Mia taking one for the team? They already know her. Jessa is fresh blood.”
The dishes clinking in the background told Noah they were already setting a place for Jessa. He stayed just outside the main doors of the resort lobby and squeezed his eyes shut.
“I cannot bring Jessa there. I don’t trust any of you.”
Jackson scoffed. “Oh please. Dramatic much? You know you will not get out of this. If you don’t show up, you’ll upset Mom, and she’ll probably drive to your house and interrupt your date, anyway.”
Noah’s eyes widened. “She wouldn’t.”
He snorted. “Okay, bro. Take the chance.”
Noah growled and ended the call. “Damn it.”
“You okay out here?” Jessa asked.
Noah turned to find her standing at the entrance to the resort. He plastered a smile to his face and walked closer to her, setting a hand on her waist and leaning in to press a kiss to her cheek.
“You look beautiful,” he said.
She blushed. “Thank you.”
He couldn’t see what she was wearing beneath her winter coat, but he suspected the little lacy black number might be under her clothes. He suppressed a groan and forced himself not to think about it.
Her fingers against his cheek brought him out of his thoughts. “Are you okay? You look upset.”
