abusive father and didn’t identify with.
But this would only work if he followed, because I damn well didn’t want to know whatever secret Elaine had rolling around in her head.
I stopped, holding Lump’s arm to get her to stop, too. “Adam, I just don’t understand!” I pleaded.
Since I’d bought into the outcome, I was now using my acting skills to sell it. I could be sneaky, too. It was actually kind of fun. I had a feeling that if it worked out with William in the extreme long run, Elaine would get me into a lot of trouble!
Determination on his face, and now an opening to defend himself, Adam was in hot pursuit, bringing William slowly on his heels, who did not wanting any part of this.
I pulled Lump along ahead of him, the carrot to the donkey, sneaking a glance at the rest of the family, who were engrossed in a conversation with Gladis.
Elaine made it to the kitchen first, waited for me to drag Lump into position, then said, “Jess, I think you should give Adam a chance to defend himself...”
Lump stood dumbly, right where I left her, waiting for someone to explain why she was being dragged around the house and made the center of a bunch of drama she had no interest in. She could be too easy-going for her own good.
Adam stepped into the doorway beside her, half shielding her from Elaine and I. He flashed me an utterly betrayed look, which twisted my heart. It was like telling a kid there was no Santa Claus.
“Adam,” I said, not wanting him to admit whatever it was he thought I knew, “Why don’t you man up and tell Lump...” I sighed, “why you didn’t refill any of our drinks.”
Adam opened his mouth to protest, then stopped, eyes dipping to my empty wine glass.
“And then, Adam,” Elaine added, “you can tell her why she isn’t pretty enough to kiss, even though you are standing under mistletoe!”
Understanding dawned. Confusion cleared, replaced by an exasperated grin. “I would expect this from her,” he pointed at Elaine, “but Jessie, you?”
I giggled. “Well? I needed a drink. I am really put out about it. And you are still standing there—isn’t she pretty enough?”
“Jess,” Lump whined, obviously worried Adam didn’t actually want to, and she would look a fool.
Adam heard the tone. His body turned to her fully, the rest of the room dropping away. “You are more than merely pretty, Betz,” he said quietly, bringing his hand to her face slowly, then behind her head as he brought his body closer to her.
Her chin lifted, willing herself to hide her anticipation and desire, but failing miserably. Adam saw it, making him hesitate long enough for his grin to morph into a soft smile, before he leant the rest of the way, meeting her lips with his.
The contact unleashed something animalistic in Lump; she sprung to action. Her hands slid up his chest to his face, increasing the fervency of the kiss. She brought her body closer, willing his strong arms to hold her tighter. He complied eagerly, hugging her tight, his tongue entering her mouth.
I smiled at Elaine, a happiness in my heart I couldn’t put into words.
After another few seconds the scene was interrupted with a manly throat clear. William had had enough.
Lump, apparently regaining her body, pushed Adam away harshly. Her face was beat red.
“Sorry,” she said in a hushed voice, backing up against the door. “Got a little carried away on that one. Apologize to your girlfriend, Adam.”
“Broke up.” Adam’s eyes were dazed with wonder as they looked down on her, not wanting space.
His body was suddenly pushed into the kitchen, his spot taken over by a grinning William. He grabbed for Lump, intending to kiss her or put her in a head-lock—we never found out, because twenty-odd years of muscle memory kicked in and Lump punched him in the kidney, used his momentum to spin his body around, and had him staggering into the kitchen before he knew what the heck was going on.
William clutched the island
But this would only work if he followed, because I damn well didn’t want to know whatever secret Elaine had rolling around in her head.
I stopped, holding Lump’s arm to get her to stop, too. “Adam, I just don’t understand!” I pleaded.
Since I’d bought into the outcome, I was now using my acting skills to sell it. I could be sneaky, too. It was actually kind of fun. I had a feeling that if it worked out with William in the extreme long run, Elaine would get me into a lot of trouble!
Determination on his face, and now an opening to defend himself, Adam was in hot pursuit, bringing William slowly on his heels, who did not wanting any part of this.
I pulled Lump along ahead of him, the carrot to the donkey, sneaking a glance at the rest of the family, who were engrossed in a conversation with Gladis.
Elaine made it to the kitchen first, waited for me to drag Lump into position, then said, “Jess, I think you should give Adam a chance to defend himself...”
Lump stood dumbly, right where I left her, waiting for someone to explain why she was being dragged around the house and made the center of a bunch of drama she had no interest in. She could be too easy-going for her own good.
Adam stepped into the doorway beside her, half shielding her from Elaine and I. He flashed me an utterly betrayed look, which twisted my heart. It was like telling a kid there was no Santa Claus.
“Adam,” I said, not wanting him to admit whatever it was he thought I knew, “Why don’t you man up and tell Lump...” I sighed, “why you didn’t refill any of our drinks.”
Adam opened his mouth to protest, then stopped, eyes dipping to my empty wine glass.
“And then, Adam,” Elaine added, “you can tell her why she isn’t pretty enough to kiss, even though you are standing under mistletoe!”
Understanding dawned. Confusion cleared, replaced by an exasperated grin. “I would expect this from her,” he pointed at Elaine, “but Jessie, you?”
I giggled. “Well? I needed a drink. I am really put out about it. And you are still standing there—isn’t she pretty enough?”
“Jess,” Lump whined, obviously worried Adam didn’t actually want to, and she would look a fool.
Adam heard the tone. His body turned to her fully, the rest of the room dropping away. “You are more than merely pretty, Betz,” he said quietly, bringing his hand to her face slowly, then behind her head as he brought his body closer to her.
Her chin lifted, willing herself to hide her anticipation and desire, but failing miserably. Adam saw it, making him hesitate long enough for his grin to morph into a soft smile, before he leant the rest of the way, meeting her lips with his.
The contact unleashed something animalistic in Lump; she sprung to action. Her hands slid up his chest to his face, increasing the fervency of the kiss. She brought her body closer, willing his strong arms to hold her tighter. He complied eagerly, hugging her tight, his tongue entering her mouth.
I smiled at Elaine, a happiness in my heart I couldn’t put into words.
After another few seconds the scene was interrupted with a manly throat clear. William had had enough.
Lump, apparently regaining her body, pushed Adam away harshly. Her face was beat red.
“Sorry,” she said in a hushed voice, backing up against the door. “Got a little carried away on that one. Apologize to your girlfriend, Adam.”
“Broke up.” Adam’s eyes were dazed with wonder as they looked down on her, not wanting space.
His body was suddenly pushed into the kitchen, his spot taken over by a grinning William. He grabbed for Lump, intending to kiss her or put her in a head-lock—we never found out, because twenty-odd years of muscle memory kicked in and Lump punched him in the kidney, used his momentum to spin his body around, and had him staggering into the kitchen before he knew what the heck was going on.
William clutched the island
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