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chapter fourteen
Alex hadn’t expected to see Jess at the restaurant. She was with three guys who must’ve been her brothers, and the rest of her family seemed to be coming closer. She looked nervous. Alex decided it would be best not to do anything. He would catch her attention like and act like he was going to the rest room. She would get it, and follow him. He turned back to his food and watched her out of the corner of his eye for the right moment.
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Jessie could tell Alex wasn’t going to do anything. Phew, that was close. She thought. She didn’t want her family meeting Alex. Not just yet. She would find a time, just not now. Not the first day. Mrs. And Mr. Hanson and Avery and Mack and Zoë reached the table. She took a deep breath and flashed her best smile. It worked. No matter how nervous or upset she was, all she had to do was flash that smile, and all worries were gone. Zoë’s face was beaming like the picture Jessica had taken from her room five years ago. Jessica moved over invitingly and gave a questioning expression to Zoë. She took it the right way and sat down next to Jessica. Avery sat on the other side as Mack and Mr. And Mrs. Hanson sat down by Isaac and Taylor.
The conversation centered on Jessie’s and the rest of the family’s lives for the past five years. About halfway into the meal, Jessica saw Alex wink at her from across the room. She quickly stood up and explained she needed to use the rest room, and asked if Zoë and Avery would like to come. Surprisingly, no one found this strange. When the threesome was almost to the bathroom Zoë asked, “What exactly are we doing?” Jessica turned around, her face red.
“I told you. Going to the bathroom.” She was smiling and reddening by the minute. Avery shook her head.
“No we’re not. I know where we’re going.”
“Shh!” Jessica murmured. “I don’t want Mom and Dad to know yet!”
“You mean Mom and Dad know yet??” Zoë asked incredulously.
“Of course they do! But they haven’t met him yet. No one has.”
“Not even Zac?” Avery said.
“Not even Zac.”
“Wow, he always knows everything first.”
“Well, not this time, it’s your turn,” Jess said, grabbing Alex from the corner.
“Guys,” she said, smiling, “this is Alex. Alex, these are my wonderful sisters. Avery, and Zoë.” He flashed a wonderful smile.
“Hey.” They all just stood there for a moment, Jessica whispering something n Alex’s ear while he smiled and nodded.
“So you’re Avery,” he said, pointing to Avery.
“Yeah,” she said. “I’m almost twenty.” He nodded.
“And you’re Zoë?” She nodded timidly.
“I’m thirteen.”
“And you’re the youngest?”
“Yep.”
“Man,” he said, smiling, “I feel sorry for you! You have got one weird sister!” Jessica’s mouth fell open and she smiled.
“ALEX KINLLEN!” She leaned over and punched him playfully in the arm.
“Chill, Jess! I was just joking!”
“Jess?” a new voice asked. All four heads turned.
Jessica flushed a deep red.
“Yeah Tay?”
“We’re um, leaving now.”
“Okay, sure.” She leaned over to Alex and whispered a goodbye to Alex, ending with a kiss. She waved bye once more and headed out with Taylor, Avery and Zoë.
“Who was that?” Taylor posed.
“My garbage man,” Jessie said sarcastically as Zoë and Avery laughed. He gave her a look.
“So that’s him?”
“Yep, yep, yep. You bet.” She smiled.
“Bye guys. Later.” She bade the rest of the family similar farewells and climbed into her car, speeding off, baffling the rest of the family with her mysteriousness as they left.