Fake Marriage Box Set

Chapter Fourteen

Emerson

“Oh eww, do you want some steak with your blood?” I couldn't help but notice as Luke’s steak was bleeding all over his plate. “That thing i

s going to jump up and run off.” I scrunched my nose in disgust.

“His is the same way.” He pointed his fork over at Ryan’s plate, and sure enough his was swimming in blood too. If I was being honest, it wasn't blood so much as pink colored juices from the steak, but it certainly wasn’t done. Ryan had asked me how I wanted my steak, and I had answered done. Luke had grumbled and complained about city people and cooking things to death to which I had replied with “that was the point.” He didn't like my answer, but he did as I had asked, and I was pleased when there was no pink inside of my steak.

I reached for the bowl of shredded cheddar cheese and pulled it to me, dropping some over the melted butter inside my potato. As I mashed the potato around inside its skin, I realized that everyone had stopped talking, I looked up and found both of them watching me.

“What?”

“Are you trying to murder your potato too?” Luke asked laughing.

“No, I’m mixing it up.” I continued to roll the potato around inside the skin, not bothering to look up at either one of them. When I did, Luke looked away quickly and then shoved some bread into his mouth.

“I love thousand island dressing.” Ryan swooned as he lifted a bit of salad toward his mouth.

“Must be why you love Big Macs,” Luke teased.

“Mmmmm McDonalds.” He chewed his food as he said around it. I looked away because, well, boys are gross.

“This was a good idea.” Ryan said, pointed his fork at me. “I like this. It's like old times with new people. I'm glad you joined our little duo, Emmy.”

“Me too,” Luke added, looking at me then quickly averting his eyes the moment mine met his.

“I'm glad I am too, I really do like it here. The woods are probably my favorite place in the world.” I had wanted to get out there today, but I just hadn't had time after getting unpacked and then Ryan wanting to grill out.

I stood from the table and picked up my plate, lifting Ryan’s from the table too. He was leaned back rubbing his belly groaning. “I should have bought me another steak. That was the best.”

“It was really good. Thank you, guys, for making such a great dinner.”

“You made dinner too.” Luke stood carrying his plate toward me.

“It was lettuce in a bowl,” I shrugged.

“With tomatoes, croutons, olives, and cheese. That's hardly lettuce in a bowl.” He bumped his shoulder playfully into mine and took the other plates from my hands.

“Well, ladies and gentlemen, I have places to go and people to do.” Ryan stood and announced. He walked over and kissed the top of my head. “I'm glad you weren’t eaten by bears. See ya tomorrow for coffee.”

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” He slapped Luke on the back and then made his way toward the door.

“Say hey to Cindy,” Luke laughed.

“Will do.” He ducked out of the door, and I was once again alone with Luke. We washed the dishes in silence. I could feel his eyes on me from time to time, and to say there wasn't something bubbling just below the surface between us would be a lie. He started a pot of coffee and pulled two cups from the cabinet. I watched as he put half and half in one cup and two spoonfuls of sugar in the other and then poured coffee into each. He handed me the cup with the half and half. He had apparently paid attention when I rambled on about my coffee to Ryan last week.

“Come on,” he pushed the screen door open and held it for me. I followed him into the yard. He smiled up at the sky and then handed me his cup.

“Hold this for a second.” He jogged over to his work shop and produced two chairs that sat low to the ground and leaned back pretty far. He sat them side by side and then took his cup and pointed toward the chair.

“Have a seat. There’s supposed to be a meteor shower starting around midnight.”

“Really?” I sat slowly and then leaned back in the wooden chair. When I opened my eyes and looked up, it was amazing. The stars were spread over the sky like a blanket. Living near the city, we saw the brightest stars, but out here it looked as if there wasn't a blank place amongst them.

We finished our coffee and sat in silence for a while. When I saw the first light streak across the sky, my face lit up.

“Did you see that?” I jumped up from the chair.