Page 88 of Tar City
“No promises.”
Her head snaps around. “Jax.”
I throw one hand up. “Kidding. I’ll be your human shield. You’ll be fine.”
She slumps back in her seat, muttering, “I should’ve stayed home and made ramen.”
I lean a little closer. “Now, do you normally eat ramen with your hands, or… do you just lick the bowl clean when you’re done?” I tease, letting my gaze drop to her mouth.
“Funny,” she says, but the corner of her mouth twitches.
She crosses her legs and the fabric of the dress pulls tight across her thigh, and my brain short-circuits. I have to force myself to look back at the road.Okay. Think about forks. Think about ramen. Think about anything but the way her legs look right now.
Ronny pulls into the long gravel driveway that leads up to the house. Tonight, we’re both getting answers, whether we like them or not.
* * *
I offer her my hand as we approach the door and she narrows her eyes at it like it’s a trick. “I’m not holding your hand like this is a date.”
“This only works if they think you’re my girlfriend,” I explain.
She keeps walking. I turn to face her fully, blocking her path to the door. “Look—my parents aren’t going to talk if they think you’re just some girl I dragged along for fun. But if they think you and I are… serious? That’s when they’ll pay attention. That’s when my mom might actually let something slip.”
“You’re insane.”
“Possibly,” I admit. “But I’m also right.”
She lets out a defeated sigh. And for a brief second… I notice everything. The little freckles across her nose, the way her lashes are long enough to cast a shadow, and those damn dimples that only show up when she’s trying not to smile.Yeah. I’m completely, totally screwed.
“I hate you, you know?”
I smirk, letting my gaze lower for just a second before meeting her eyes again. “You look beautiful.”
She glares. “Don’t.”
“I’m just saying—it’s convincing.”
She starts to turn away from me, and I catch her hand to stop her. Her fingers twitch in mine but she doesn’t pull away.
“This only works,” I remind her, “if they believe we’re together. Can you do that?”
Her eyes meet mine. I think she might actually turn around and leave, but she doesn’t. She just stands there, her hand still in mine. “I’ll do my best.”
I open the door.
Dad’s already there, waiting in the entryway like he’s been briefed on a diplomatic arrival. He steps forward first and extends his hand toward Sisk.
“A pleasure to finally meet you,” he says, warm, polished, all bedside manner. “I’m Dr. St. Clair. You can call me Daniel, of course.”
Sisk takes his hand—awkward but polite. “Thank you for having me. It’s… beautiful here.”
I can’t believe my father is actually doing this. He’s here. My father is actually here. Home. For dinner. It’s a fucking miracle.
“I apologize in advance,” he adds, giving her a charming smile. “If we don’t quite know how to behave. This is the first time Jax has ever brought a girlfriend home.”
Here we go.
“We honestly couldn’t believe it when he said he wanted to introduce someone,” he goes on, laying it on thick. “He’s always been… well, reserved.”
