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My mom and Benjamin are so distracted by Zane’s horrible jokes they aren’t paying attention to either me or Theo. We are in our own little world where no one else is invited but us.
“Did anyone save any room for dessert?” My mom stands up and collects her empty plate.
Zane rubs his stomach. “I always have room for more food but I should probably take mine to go. My sister is working the late shift tonight and needs someone to watch Tommy.”
“Oh, well in that case, let me pack a piece of cake for him too,” my mom says, rushing toward the kitchen.
“I guess the rest of us better get our own. King Zane comes first after all.”
Zane glares in my direction. Theo laughs, standing up from the table to collect the rest of the empty plates. “I’ll probably skip the next course and head home myself.”
“So soon?”
Theo yawns. “Yeah. I didn’t sleep much last night and gotta drive out of town tomorrow to pick up some ingredients for the bakery.”
Theo owns a cute little bakery down the street from here. He opened it way before I came along, and he’s constantly adding new items to the menu. I’ve made it a point to be a taste tester for each one.
“You can’t buy flour in town?” I pull on my plate when he tries to grab it.
He rolls his eyes. “I don’t only use flour when I bake. If you came around to help me make the bread and cookies instead of only eating them, you’d know that.” He tugs harder on my plate and I finally let go, causing him to jolt backwards a little. “I’m going to get these to the sink and see if your mom needs help.”
Zane turns my way as soon as Theo disappears. “What the hell was that all about?”
I shift in my seat, fumbling with the bottom of the tablecloth. “What?”
“Oh please.” He releases a loud huff. “Don’t act like you and your uncle weren’t just making eyes at each other and doing some weird type of flirting. Is there some weird taboo shit going on I should know about?”
I choke back a laugh. “First of all, you’re seeing shit. Second, we aren’t technically related.”
“Still. He’s related to your stepdad, so in a way he’s still family.”
Shrugging, I rest my hands on the table. “I guess so. I’m going to go get me some cake before my mom decides to send it all home with you.”
His hand presses down on my shoulder, preventing me from standing up. “Not until you tell me what the deal is with you and your hot uncle.”
“There is no deal and he’s not my uncle. Wait. Did you just call him hot?” Something ugly twists in my stomach. I’m aware of how attractive Theo is but it doesn’t mean I like when someone else is checking him out. I prefer to be oblivious to it. Especially when it’s my best friend doing the ogling.
“Well I do have eyes of my own, thank you very much, and the guy definitely has this cute older guy vibe going for him. Honestly he’s nowhere near your type.”
He has no idea what my type is or who Theo is under the facade he hides behind. I know the truth and I’m not ready to share it with anyone else. I want this little secret to be between us for now.
“It’s not what you think, and shouldn’t you get going soon?”
Loud voices head our way and my mom is carrying two containers in her hands. “Sorry,mijo. I got caught up washing the dishes after seeing all the food Benjamin was leaving behind.”
I laugh at how much of a control freak my mom is when it comes to her kitchen. If you can’t do it right then you better stand the hell out of her way.
“No worries.” Zane stands up from his chair and walks toward her. He gives her a hug and says his goodbyes to everyone else before walking toward the front. Treading closely behind him, I don’t stop until we reach the front porch. “Want me to walk you all the way to your car so the boogie man doesn’t get you?”
Zane shakes his head. “No, you should stay in case Theo needs to be carried home,” he deadpans.
I shove him in the shoulder and he shakes with laughter, coming too close to dropping the food in his hand.
“Good night,pendejo.”
“Whatever’s happening, I’m going to find out sooner or later.”
“Good luck with that,” I respond, crossing my arms.
