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Oh shit. “Um, yeah, usually. I have no idea why they did that to you. They were probably just being assholes.”
“Nah, I told them I loved you, and I wasn’t going anywhere. They knew what I was saying. They were getting a jump on things.”
“Lucas. We haven’t even known each other a year.”
“Love can’t read a calendar, baby. Now sit on my face or go back to sleep. It’s still nighttime.”
My man. So romantic.
Lucas
Jo’s parents and my parents hit it right off starting the night they arrived three days ago. The two moms sat in the farmhouse kitchen with a bottle of wine and talked recipes while the dads sat on the deck nursing beers and talking farming. Occasionally, Mom looked the other way on the beers as long as Dad kept up the diet, exercises, and cardiologist appointments.
Jo wrapped her arms around me from behind as I scraped the cut fruit into a bowl and set it aside. “Thanks for getting up to cook with me,” she said.
“Thanks for waking me in that special way that I like.”
“It’s a special weekend. The resort opening yesterday was great, and I know it’s gonna take off,” she said.
“With your food on offer, there is no way it can fail.”
“You better knock on some wood right now, Luc.”
“Don’t talk about wood, Jo, or that brunch we promised everyone will be even later.”
“Are you twelve?” she asked.
“Deep inside, a lot of us guys are still twelve.”
She rolled her eyes.
Last night was the first overnight at the mountain biking resort. As part of the celebration, Jo was making a full brunch today. Some of my favorites were on the menu, chicken Katsu, wasabi biscuits, scratch-made granola, assorted quiches, mixed berry fried pies, and chocolate cream puffs. She made her own pâte à choux for the cream puffs. Her pastry force was strong, which made me a very lucky man.
“Isn’t there some health code about making out within two feet of food you’re serving?” My sister Tess walked into the barn kitchen.
“I can’t help it. His dimples get me every time.” Jo said as I squeezed her tighter and sucked on her neck.
“It’s a defect. The muscles in his cheeks separated instead of staying together like the rest of us.”
Jo looked back at me. “Don’t ever let it be said that I didn’t love Lucasandhis flaws.”
“Oh my God, are you guys always like this?” Tess said, but her eyes were bright.
I knew I was different. I was glad to be different, glad to be changed, and so damn grateful Jo came into my life to make it happen.
“Hello, lovely ones. How are we doing this morning?” Mom greeted us each with the cheek-kiss-hug combo that was her norm. No sense in fighting it. I was glad to see Jo was getting the same treatment as me and Tess.
“The food’s ready if you want to help set it out for serving. Tess, are the others up yet?” Jo asked.
“I think so. Alex had a fire going early and was drinking coffee. I heard movement in the yurt where ReeAnn and Jake were.”
“Any sign of Finn and Emily?” I was anxious to hear about the proposal and watch Jo’s reaction. My grin was probably a little big for only wanting to see my brother for the millionth time.
Tess noticed. “What’s that face? Oh man, you know something.”
“Know something about what?” Mom asked.
“What?” I shrugged, trying to redirect the bulldog that was Tess. “I’m happy this morning. My girl is making some of my favorite foods, and it’s supposed to be a sunny day.”
