【••SOPHIA••】
I love Jameson’s family.
Especially his mom and Jane.
His family has been so welcoming and nice to me. Jane and I are already best friends- we roasted Jameson together and it was so fun.
Soon enough, Jameson’s mom told me to throw away the formality and call them by their names. Kate and Noah.
During dinner, Kate asked me about my family and what my hobbies are. Dinner passed away so quickly between talks and laughter.
The whole Gray family is so charming and attractive. Kate is like a ray of sunshine and Noah is a literal gentleman. Jameson told me before that his parents act like they’re newly in love and I saw it tonight.
While Kate was talking to me, from the corner of my eyes, I caught how Noah stared at his wife and how he automatically smiled at the sound of her laughter.
I noticed that he gets the same shine in his eyes Jameson did when he heard me laugh for the first time.
I’m quick to shove away that thought.
After dinner, we all sat in the living room having dessert while Kate and Jane told me many stories of Jameson’s childhood.
At one point, my stomach and cheekbones were aching from laughing so much and Jameson had already accepted his defeat.
He has his head rested on the headrest with a pillow shoved over his face. Every now and then, I hear his muffled groan which makes me laugh harder.
“I love dressing up James.” Jane says with an innocent smile.
“Promise me you will send a picture next time.” I say, dabbing the corner of my eyes with a tissue paper. God, I started crying.
“Okay!” Jane says excitedly.
I smile then check the time.
9:48 PM
I lock my phone and put the empty plate on the coffee table, “I should get going.”
Jane whines out a “no” and my heart does a little squeeze.
I don’t want to leave.
Jameson decides to come back to life. He removes the pillow from his face and gets up just when everyone does.
“It was so nice meeting you,” Kate says, squeezing me in a tight warm hug.
“We hope to have another dinner like this with you soon,” Noah says after Kate and I pull away from the hug.
I give him a warm smile, “I would love that.”
Jane is the last one to hug me, “I want to play with you more.” she pouts.
“I want to play with you too and we will.” before you start hating me.
Jane smiles then an arm drapes itself over my shoulder. Jameson pulls me towards himself, I let out a small “yelp” as my face hits his chest. His scent tickles my nose and my cheeks heat up.
“Now excuse me, I'm going to steal her away and brainwash her so that she forgets all the stories you just told her.” Jameson says.
The room erupts with laughter and I do my best to smile as wide as I can while keeping my hand on my cheek.
I hope the shade isn’t obvious.
I say goodbye one last time before Jameson leads me towards the hallway. He holds the door open as I walk out then he follows after me, closing the door behind him.
“Okay, time to brainwash you.”
I laugh, “no way. I’m not letting you erase these stories from my head.”
Jameson sighs, “I’m in trouble.”
I nod not hiding my smile, “thanks for tonight. I had a lot of fun.”
“Me too.” he gives me one of his lazy smiles- my favorite ones.
“Well,” I take a step back towards my car, “I should head out.”
“Right.” he shoves his hand in his pockets, “drive safe. Text me when you get home.”
“I will.” I say getting into my car, I shut the door and start the car. I look out the window to find Jameson still standing out. He waves at me before I drive away from his house.
________
“How was dinner at your boyfriend’s?”
Alan’s voice startles me as I walk into the apartment. I almost jumped and screamed.
“Geez, you scared me.” I breathe out with my hands placed on my chest.
“Oh come on, I’m not dad.”
“Of course not. You’re way nicer.” I plop myself on the couch and release a sigh. When I notice Alan hasn’t taken his seat, I turn my head towards him where he’s leaning against the counter, “what?”
“I have something to tell you.” he breathes out like he’s been holding his breath for a while.
I sit up, worried, “did you rob a bank?”
“No.” he takes a deep breath, “I-”
Mom walks out of her room, our heads turn, “oh, you’re home.” she makes her way towards me to place a kiss on my forehead, I smile, “how was dinner?”
“Good.” Mom sits beside me, “his family is really nice and they seem to really like me.”
“Of course they would.” Mom kisses my cheeks, “you’re adorable.”
“Thanks.”
“Did your brother tell you the news?”
I frown, “what news?”
“I’m proposing to Eva tomorrow.”
I freeze. I let his words sink in.
I’m proposing to Eva tomorrow.
Oh my God. Oh. My. God.
I look at Alan, “you’re going to get married.” I whisper.
“Yeah.”
I cover my mouth, my eyes sting with tears. Since when I’m emotional?
He’s going to propose!
“I’m so happy for you!” I quickly get up and rush towards him to give him a hug, he hugs back, his muscles relaxing, “you’re so lucky.”
He chuckles, “thanks.” we pull away from the hug, “do you want to see the ring?”
“Of course!”
Alan takes out a small box from his pocket. As soon as he opens it, the diamond shines in the room. I muffle a gasp.
“It’s so pretty. I can hear her say yes.”
I look up at my brother who’s smiling at the ring.
He deserves it.
We both turn our attention to our mother who’s sniffling and wiping her tears. We’re quick to go to her and wrap her in a trio hug.
“Don’t worry, mom. Eva will make sure he knows his manners.” My not-so-funny joke earns me a chuckle from mom and a boring stare from my brother.
“I’m just so happy for you.” Mom kisses his cheeks, “treat her well, okay?”
“I promise.” Alan says with a smile.
I leave my mother and my brother to talk while I head to my room to change. I send a quick text to Jameson telling him that I’m home and the news of Alan proposing to Eva.
I take a quick shower, change into my hoodie and shorts, say goodbye to Alan before he leaves then climb in my sheets.
While I stare at the ceiling, I replay my dinner with Jameson.
It was hard not to notice that Jameson was close to me more than ever tonight. While I was with Jane, he had his arm around my waist. During dinner when I was talking to Kate, he sneaked his hand under the table to put it on my thigh. He kept me close for the whole night and I liked it.
But I can’t read too much into his gestures. He did all this to convince his family that we’re dating.
All of our gestures are for show.
Except for ones that happen when we’re alone.
I pick up my phone from my night stand when I hear a notification ding.
A smile takes over my lips as I stare at the text.
Devil
You’re dancing with me at the wedding, genius.