AllFreeNovel
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Dinner is on the table, a curl of steam coming from a casserole dish.
“Looks like they played it safe and went with lasagna and garlic bread,” Jax murmurs into my ear. I lean into him as his sister, Julieann, rounds the corner.
She blinks at me and purses her lips, an expression of indecision on her pretty face. They’re obviously not identical twins, but she bears a striking resemblance to Jax with her dark hair and striking blue eyes.
“Jules, you remember Allie.”
I stiffen.
“I do.” She’s struggling to remain polite, or at least that’s how it seems to me.
Julieann has an almost gruff, masculine sort of energy, which doesn’t detract from her appeal. She’s always been that way—made of tougher stuff than most women I know. There’s not a diva part about her, but she manages to appear feminine. Especially today in a low-cut royal-blue top that makes her eyes bright, and fuchsia lipstick that’s as bold as her attitude.
“How are you?” she asks evenly.
“Better,” I answer, and let that one word stand for itself. When I first arrived in Ohio I was a wreck. My career was in shambles, my ex-boyfriend proved he was a traitor, and I had no one to lean on. The first two issues haven’t gone anywhere, but I have someone to lean on now and it’s Jax.
“I was about to pour myself a glass of wine. Can I get one for you?” she asks. The conversation feels strained, but I’m not going to balk.
“Please.”
“Jax?”
“I’ll grab myself a beer. Mini, take a seat at the table. Wherever Mom puts you.” Jax kisses me lightly and when he pulls away, I notice that Julieann notices and isn’t sure what to think of that, either.
—
Dinner was delicious if not painfully polite. There was one awkward moment when Jean and Joe mentioned they’d started watching America’s Sweetheart, waiting for my first full episode. I went from a casual walk-on to a main character, so by episode five, they brought me in in a big way by giving me my first sex scene. Mind you, this is network TV, so I wasn’t nude. But it was a hot and heavy make-out sesh with fellow actor Lex Brewster. He’s amazing. Also: gay. But a great kisser, so his boyfriend’s a lucky guy.
Anyway, the moment Jean realized she was talking about my on-screen love scene over dinner, her face went a bright shade of pink and Joe’s quickly followed. Not the crass sort, those two. Joe awkwardly changed the subject to ask Jax how the deck was going at my parents’ house. Jax answered in a purposefully long-winded way, with more details than any of us needed.
Now we’ve been told to “retire” to the TV room, where they’ll bring out dessert.
“I made a soufflé,” Jean promises. Joe offers to help, leaving Jax, Julieann, and me to await our dessert.
“Has she ever made a soufflé?” Julieann asks Jax under her breath.
“Not that I know of. I’m not sure I know what that is.”
“It’s a rich French egg dish that’s almost impossible to keep from falling flat in the oven,” I answer. We’re sitting side by side on the couch and he takes my hand, lifts it, and kisses my fingers.
“Hopefully it isn’t as bad as her attempt at our birthday cake,” he tells Julieann.
His sister watches him before subtly lifting one eyebrow. Jax dips his head in an almost imperceptible nod. They’re doing that weird telepathic twin thing where they don’t speak. I shift in my seat, wondering what conclusion they’ve come to about me.
“How long are you in Ohio, Allie?” Julieann asks.
“Not sure. Until my next audition or the next party I’m required to attend.”
“Rough life.”
Jax clears his throat and Julieann flashes him a dark look. “I’d love a coffee. Allie?”
“Oh. Um. Yeah, sure.”
“Jax.” Julieann tilts her head.
“Sure. I’ll take one.”
