After they hung up, Jared had a sneaking suspicion her time was being taken up by another man.Not that another guy had never stopped him before, so he reasoned he wouldn’t let it stop him this time.He’d waited years to move their relationship to the next level.If another man thought he could take Jared’s place in Christa’s life, that man would be sorely disappointed.
Undaunted, Jared decided to visit his parents while he had free time.They had always been supportive of him, and he recognized he was fortunate to have them.When he walked into their house, he instantly smelled Sunday dinner on the stove and heard the chatter and laughter of his family in the kitchen.The years he’d been away suddenly melted away to nothing, and he was immediately glad to be back home.
He walked into the kitchen unannounced, lowered his voice a couple of octaves and let the deep bass sound fill the room.“What’s going on in here?”
Everyone jumped, and faces snapped to look in his direction.After the initial shock, his siblings and parents all called out to him at once.
“Jared!”
“We didn’t expect you today, son!”
“Come sit down and eat!”
He took his seat and filled his plate, joining in on the friendly ribbing of his siblings.He spent the rest of the afternoon catching up with his older twin brothers, Jessie and Josh, and his younger sister, Jennifer.Being back in the fold felt so right.
“So, Jared, when are you going to man up and ask Christa out?I saw her the other day.Man, she looks good.If you’re not interested, just let me know, I’ll take her off your hands,” Jessie teased.
“Yeah, right, Jessie.She’s too smart to fall for the likes of you.”Jared laughed while tossing a bottle cap at Jessie’s head.
“Man, who are you kidding?I am the stud muffin around here.She’d pick me in a heartbeat!”Josh chimed in.
Jared rolled his eyes.“You two are identical twins, Josh.And she wouldn’t pick either of you over me.”
“Willing to put your money where your mouth is, brah?”Jessie challenged.
Jared laughed good-naturedly, knowing his brothers were only razzing him and seeing how far they could push him before he went off on them.They’d used the same routine on him all his life.
“No chance,boys.Mom’s on my side this time.”
Jessie’s and Josh’s faces both fell at the same time.Everyone in the family knew that anytimeMomtook sides, the game was over.There was no point in arguing any further.
“That’s right, boys,” Patti chimed in.“Jared is finally going to put things right with Christa.And it is well past time, if you ask me.”
“Well, that may be a little hard to donow,” Jennifer piped in.All heads jerked to her.Patti looked shocked, and Jared looked a little panicked.
“Why is that, Jen?”Patti asked.
“I went into her café yesterday, and Allie told me that Christa was on a date—anall-day date.She’s seeing some guy that came into her café, and she apparently really likes him,” Jen explained.
Patti and Jared continued to stare at Jen like she was an alien who’d just crash-landed in their living room.
“What?Why are you both staring at me like that?”Jen demanded.Being the baby of the family, she’d always endured the brunt of the bullying from her older brothers.Especially when it came to dating, guys calling her, going to her high school proms, or anything else that was even remotely interesting and involved the opposite sex.
“Who is he?”Jared asked.
“I don’t know—some guy who came into her café is all I know.Allie said they really hit it off, and she’s never seen Christa this interested in a guy before,” Jen answered.“Maybe you should ask Allie out instead.”
Jared pretended he didn’t hear that last part.He wasn’t interested in Allie—he wanted Christa.He looked at his mom and could instantly read her thoughts because they mirrored his own.I waited too long… I’m too late.
“You know Allie very well?”Jared asked, suddenly realizing Jen had called her by name.
“Yes, I have a couple of classes with her at UCSF,” Jen responded absently.Then, as if it suddenly hit her, she added, “Oh, no, you don’t!I’m not getting involved in whatever scheme you are planning for Christa.She’s my friend, and so is Allie.”
Jared grabbed his chest and put on his best “hurt” face before he said, “I can’t believe you’d think I would plan and scheme against Christa!”
“Yeah, whatever, big brother.I grew up with the three of you,” she said as she gestured at her three brothers.“I know damn well what you’re all capable of doing!”Jen responded with a laugh.
For all the torture her older brothers had put her through in her life, she knew they loved her and would do anything for her.And she loved them back with all her heart.
