Page 60 of Fish Out of Water

“Probably because he never grew up with it.”

“Huh. I never really thought about it like that before.”

“Robbie doesn’t like talking about his childhood much, but I’m sure you’ve already picked up on that. I think that creating barriers between himself and his family is how he’s able to handle being around them.”

Jake snorted. “Yeah, and we know the only reason he bothers.”

“Youdoknow the reason, and don’t pretend otherwise.” Isabel put her hands on her hips, giving Jake a look that told him he was on thin ice. “I hope you don’t talk to him like that when you’re together.”

“Sure I do, but he gives it back just as hard. I mean, that’s just how we are. He can take it.”

“Well, try to be nice to him tonight—nicer than that lunch we had together, please.”

A knock sounded at the door.

“Oh, he’s here.” She looked up. “Get the door, Jake, and entertain him for a bit while I finish dinner. It shouldn’t be too much longer.”

Jake stood up with a sigh, making his way to the front door slowly. Entertaining Robbie was exactly what he was tryingnotto do.

He took a deep breath and opened the door to find Robbie standing there, a glass baking dish with foil over it in his hands.

“Hi,” he said, keeping his tone even and detached. At least he and Jake were on the same page now, not that it mattered much.

“You never answered my text,” Jake said bluntly. He didn’t step aside to allow Robbie in yet, not until he had his answer.

“I didn’t think I needed to.”

“But you read it.”

“Of course.”

“And you came anyway.”

Robbie frowned. “You had no trouble showing up at my store yesterday. What changed?”

“I just thought that after our talk, you would get that it’s not a good idea for us to spend time together when we can help it. I even said please.”

“I noticed.”

“That didn’t make you stop and think that maybe this is a terrible idea?”

“You’re really that worried something’s going to happen?” Robbie smirked. “Come on, Jake. What about your rule?”

“I’m trying not to break it.”

Robbie’s expression changed almost imperceptibly. Had Jake not been staring at him, he would have missed it. Then his eyes lit up again, he put on a more natural smile, and he pushed past Jake as though he weren’t there at all. “Where’s Isabel?”

“In the kitchen.” Jake pointed at the dish in Robbie’s hands. “Does that?—”

“Yeah. I’ll bring it to her and say hi.”

He took his shoes off before making his way into the kitchen, where even Jake could hear how excited Isabel was to see him. Jake stayed in the living room for a few minutes, giving them enough time to talk alone. Maybe Isabel could soften Robbie up and keep him distracted enough for them to get through this night.

When he stepped into the dining area, Robbie was setting plates loaded with food on the table, and Isabel was cleaning up what little remained of her mess from cooking.

“Ready to eat, boys?” Isabel asked. “Jake, you’re sitting next to Robbie tonight.”

Jake shot a sideways glance toward Robbie, who kept on smiling. At least he couldn’t play footsie under the table this time.