AllFreeNovel
Share Us
After showering and telling Jaz to get ready, I have an hour to stare at my ceiling, as normal function eludes me more every hour. All I can think about is Marisol. What is she doing? Is she thinking about me? What did her mom cook for dinner? Okay, so the last one’s because I’m hungry. No matter what it is, it’ll be amazing. Jaz can cook with the best of them, but Mare’s mom is on her own level.
When the hour finally arrives, I practically pound the door down. Even Alex looks perplexed when he answers.
“Damn, amigo. Why are you knocking like the police?” He holds the door wide for us to enter.
“Sorry, I can smell the food from the driveway. I’m starving!”
Alex shakes his head, laughing, as he closes the door behind us. “Everything’s ready.” He slings an arm around my sister. “How are you, cariño?”
“Good.” She sheepishly grins up at him as he towers over her.
“That’s what I wanted to hear.” His grip tightens, and he kisses the top of her head. “Now let’s eat.” If they weren’t such good friends, I’d be suspicious, and probably kick his ass for touching my sister so intimately, but for as long as I’ve known them, they’ve always been that way.
Luckily, Jasmine takes the seat next to Alex, leaving me to sit next to Marisol. My stomach twists with excitement as she smiles shyly at me. I reach under the table and squeeze her hand, wishing I could show everyone here our affection.
Mrs. Navarro brings out dinner. Pork carnitas with Guacamole and Orange Salsa. Heaven has descended upon me as my mouth waters. Mexican food is by far my favorite.
“This is fantastic, Mrs. Navarro. Thank you.”
“You’re more than welcome, Jace.”
“Did you have something to do with this?” I mumble to Marisol under my breath.
“Maybe,” she teases.
Bumping her with my elbow, I dig into the food, eating until moving becomes a problem. Barely breathing, I turn to my sister, who is laughing at something that Alex said.
“You’re going to have to carry me home, Jaz. I’ve done myself in.” Patting my stomach, I lean back.
“You’re too fat for me to carry. Have Alex do it.” She laughs and shoves Alex’s arm.
He smirks, the glint in his eyes mischievous. “I only carry the hunnies home, querida. If you need help, let me know, but Jace is on his own.” The cocky fucker. “Sorry, amigo. It’d be bad for my rep. You understand.”
As I watch the banter floating effortlessly between us, a niggling in the back of my head says to watch Alex around Jasmine. There’s something off about his touches, and the way he observes her.
Instead of drawing attention to the situation, because, like I have any room to talk, we joke and laugh around the table until it’s time to clean up and head home.
After the food’s finished, we promise Mrs. Navarro we’d clean the rest of dinner.
“Jace!” Marisol calls from the kitchen. “You owe me a rain check on dishes, and I’m collecting.”
“Yes!” Alex celebrates his lack of chores tonight.
“What are you jumping around about?”
“If you’re doing the dishes, that means I’m not. Come on, Jaz, let’s go play some Mortal Combat.” He wraps his arm around Jasmine’s hips and hoists her over his shoulder, ripping a squeal of excitement and laughter from her lips as they head into the living room.
“Have fun!” Jaz pushes up with one hand on his ass and the other waving as they disappear around the corner. Definitely putting that one on the back-burner for dissecting later.
My heart is pounding with excitement as I practically sprint to the kitchen to see my girl. “You rang.”
“Yes. Help me with these, please.” A pair of gloves are tossed at me. “Soak the bigger ones. They’ll need scrubbing.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
We remain silent while we wash, in perfect sync with one another. I wash and she dries. The number of dinner dishes will keep us busy for a while, but I can’t help but take extra time with each one.
“Thank you for helping.” She lays a plate down after drying it.
