Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
“Lauren, what a pretty name,” I say, ignoring the hand she holds out and going in for a hug instead. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Jessa.”
She remains stiff in my warm embrace, so I pull back.
“The ex,” she says with a knowing smirk as I step back. “Yeah, I know who you are.”
It’s not untrue, but it’s not the friendliest way I can imagine choosing to introduce myself to someone. I shrug it off, flashing them both smiles as I tell them I’m glad they could come, then I get back to helping Julia and Penny get dinner ready to be served.
The table is set with festive decor and elegant fall-themed place mats that Julia sewed herself as a gift for Penny last Christmas. Every linen napkin is neatly folded, the silverware polished and waiting by each plate. Julia takes around a pitcher of water to fill all the goblets as I gather the dinner rolls into baskets and place them on each side of the long table.
Marcus Sr. comes to help carve up the turkey and carry the heavy serving plate out to the table before taking his place at the head of it.
My handsome husband sits in the first seat on his right with my empty chair waiting right next to him. Julia’s seat is on my other side, with Jared and Layla to her right.
As soon as we’ve brought out all the food and all the drinks, I smooth down my skirt and take my seat.
Marcus reaches over and squeezes my thigh, murmuring appreciatively, “Everything looks delicious.”
“Thank you,” I murmur back, leaning over to steal a quick kiss.
Marcus is all warmth and love and security, but I can feel a chill at my back. When I straighten up and glance down the table, I see Joey glaring daggers at me as if he considers it a personal affront that I’m kissing my own husband at the dinner table.
Unlike him, I didn’t do it to hurt him. I did it because I love my husband and I love expressing that to him. I won’t hold back to spare anyone’s feelings—least of all the feelings of the man who couldn’t appreciate me.
Matt catches the glare and clears his throat, glancing over at James. The brothers exchange a wordless look, then James speaks up.
“So, Lauren, was it?” he asks, glancing down the table at them. “How long have you and Joey been loved up?”
“Oh, a couple of months,” she answers easily, taking the bowl of mashed potatoes Joey is passing to her. “I mean, we were seeing each other casually for a while before that, but that’s when we made it official.”
“She likes to take her time when making big decisions,” Joey remarks with a faint smile.
It’s his superior smile more than the words that make it feel like a dig at me.
I don’t take offense. I know it was batshit crazy to marry Marcus as quickly as I did. I also know it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.
“I hate how casual everybody is now,” Penny says, shaking her head with distaste. “Nobody takes anything seriously anymore. Nobody wants to commit. Let’s just waste each other’s time and hop around in other beds so we can see what else is out there. What a foundation you’ve built on that.”
Joey clears his throat, his smugness disappearing under his mother’s criticism. “Well, Mom, we have built a very strong foundation,” he assures her. “We just wanted to make sure… We’ve both been through very scarring experiences with past lovers, and we wanted to be sure before we decided to commit to each other. That makes the foundation stronger, not weaker.”
Penny rolls her eyes. “Sounds like wishy washy bullshit to me. Look at your brother. He knew after a day he wanted to marry Jessa—and then he did.”
James chokes on his wine, then grabs a napkin to dab at his lips. I swear I see tears of mirth gathering at the corners of his eyes.
Joey’s face turns so red, he could easily be confused for one of the cranberries in his father’s festive whiskey sour. “Yes, I remember,” he says tersely.
James wipes at his eyes, his face red as he leans toward Matt. “I can’t. You’re up.”
Matt bites back a smile, then he looks down the table at Lauren. “How’d you two meet again? I think Joey mentioned there was a cute story. You were a waitress…?”
Lauren nods, her smile coming back. “Yep, that’s right.”
“I’m sure she makes great money then,” Penny murmurs sarcastically to her husband. “Expects him to pay for everything, I bet. But it’s casual.”
He sighs faintly, but doesn’t opt to join this conversation.
Joey attempts to steer for a minute. “It’s funny, I was actually there on a date with someone else.”
Lauren scoffs derisively. “Yeah, he was. This bimbo who didn’t have two brain cells to rub together. I guess he has a type,” she adds, her malicious gaze drifting to me.