Emily exchanged looks between Jace and me at the dining table for a while, she was more shocked than upset that Jace and I kissed. Lucky for me Emily didn't tell my dad. I think that he'd be upset that I'm having some sort of relationship with his Boss's grandson. I grind my teeth as a wave of anxiety comes over me, he wouldn't send me back to my mom, would he?
My mouth becomes dry, why wouldn't he? He doesn't know me that well, I'm practically a stranger to him.
"The food is divine." Mrs Harrison compliments. "What is your chef's name?" She asks in her prominent British accent.
Emily's cheeks turn red. "I cooked the food myself, thank you for your compliment, Mrs Harrison." She thanks in a flustered manner.
Mrs Harrison only gives her a stiff look as if she is not impressed by my stepmother's reply.
I look over to Jace and he is only stirring his food around, he looks as if he has lost his appetite and I wonder to myself if Emily is the reason, is he possibly worried that if my dad finds out he would act poorly? I am worried about that myself, although my father is easy-going he has a terrible temper that only comes out in the most unfortunate circumstances,
I attempt to swallow the lump that is throbbing in my throat down with a gulp of water. I meet Max's eyes from across the table. "What's wrong?" he mouths.
I shake my head slightly, in a subtle response. He frowns but nods.
I can tell my dad is trying hard for Mr Harrison to have a good time, but Mr Harrison barely speaks. He is a strange man. I wonder if he is like this to us how must he be towards Jace? Could he be a lot warmer? Considering the blunt response that Jace gave me early in the garden, I suspect he could lean toward the colder side.
"Is the food alright Jace?" My dad asks him.
Jace nods, "It's delicious Mr Stone, but you see I am on a diet. I can't eat pasta." Jace responds politely, oddly he sounds a lot more British.
"Well, why didn't you speak up sooner boy?" His grandfather grunts the sentence out. I jump at his sudden response.
My father chuckles nervously, "Well you are already so thin Jace, why would you be on a diet?" My father asks.
"Jacey has a shoot this Friday, I told him that he looked like he put on some weight. You know as a model you can't afford to put on anything." Mrs Harrison clears the air.
"Oh." My father expresses. "My apologies, Lucy, can you maybe fix Jacey- I mean Jace a salad." My father asks, I nod and excuse myself from the table. I take Jace's plate from him and scurry into the kitchen when I notice that they all are staring at me.
I frown as I wash the tomatoes and lettuce in the sink. A model? Well it could explain the professional-looking photos that he posts. I shake my head but he is already so thin. What would he do with a diet? I don't remember him eating the sandwich earlier today either. I sigh. I feel bad for him, why is his grandmother so controlling over his weight, both of his grandparents are so strange.
I want to add cheese, but maybe it wouldn't be the best since he's on a diet and all. So, I just put it all in a bowl. I frown I wish I had chicken to add, but Emily used up all of it for dinner.
I feel a bit nervous to give this to Jace, it doesn't look the most appealing. Instead, it looks like rabbit food, but I try to whip up the confidence to give this to Jace. I take a deep breath in and out and make my way to the dining room table.
I set the bowl down. He looks up at me, his grey eyes glistering, my cheeks become hot and I turn away. I clear my throat, "Sorry it's not tastier." I say meekly and stumble back to my chair. The table exchange looks with me. I put my head down in embarrassment, I do have a moon boot on so I am not the steadiest at the moment.
I look over to Jace and to my surprise he is eating my salad, his eyes look over to mine and he gives me a thumbs up. I smile, I then hear Emily clear her throat. I look over at her and she just shakes her head in disapproval.
My eyes widen and I make myself small in the chair.
It was time to give out dessert and Emily asked me to help, perks of being the only girl.
"So," she folds her arms as I am putting the dishes in the sink. "What is going on between you and Jace Harrison?" She asks bluntly. I swallow, Emily is quite blunt… she's nice but blunt.
I shrug, "I don't know." I answer genuinely as I don't know what's going to happen between Jace and me if he is serious about me or not. He tells me he likes me but I wonder if that's true, how could someone that handsome like me?
"Lucy this isn't some teen relationship; this is your dad's income." Emily scolds, "You need to come clean if you are serious about each other or if you know that the relationship is going nowhere, end things." Emily instructs firmly.
I nod, "Yes Emily." I say dryly.
I can't argue with her because, on a reasonable level, she is right.
I take the pudding to the dining room on a cart and hand them out. I turn to Emily; she still feels hostile toward me. I think this brought up old feelings about when I first came to stay with them.
"I guess you don't want this." I mummer to Jace. Jace makes a longing face at the pudding.
"Did you make it?" He asks.
I give him a small nod, "I helped." I smile.
He takes it from the cart, "I suppose I can have a small bite." He says in one tone.
"Okay, enjoy," I tell him and move off to hand out the other pudding.
I finally sit and I wonder why Todd and Tyler weren't speaking this entire dinner. So odd for them to be on their best behaviour, I like how Max is placed in the middle, the barrier between them. I look over to Jace and I can't help but feel butterflies when I watch him, I move my fingertips to my bottom lip and I can't believe he kissed me, I wish we could do more of that even if he isn't serious. I just want to be around him.
I would say the dinner went well as Mr Harrison thanked my dad for the evening with a small smile. My father told us that it was very rare that he would smile at his employees and praise their performance but my dad gloated how Mr Harrison even complimented his work and if he keeps up the good work, he would get another promotion. I am happy for my dad but I feel even more guilt-ridden now, what if this relationship between Jace and I would be bad concerning my dad's job? I sigh as I plump myself on my bed. My phone rings,
I don't know this number, my eyes widen. It must be Jace as I recall me giving my number to him earlier today.
"Hello," I answer.
"I liked the pudding." He says playfully. "My grandfather must like your dad; I was so shocked to see him smile for that split second." Jace sighs, "He doesn't even smile at me."
I pause for a short moment, "Am I seeing you tomorrow?" I ask, I do have ulterior motives. I want to ask Jace if he is serious about me so I can break the news to my father. Depending on his answer that is, wishful thinking.
"Of course," Jace says in a tone I have never heard from him before, he sounds almost smitten and that does give me a little hope.