Jack & Lucy

Jack

I don't know what made me blurt out that husband bit but Lucy is now looking at me like I've grown another head. I just can't believe her sister is giving her so much shit about me dating her. 

"Husband? My, you're moving at warp speed!" Lauren says with a giggle. She tips her glass up and finishes the remainder of her wine. 

"Yes, I had warned Lucy about moving too fast with Blake," her mother warns and I see a shade of red creep up Lucy's neck. I know for a fact her mother was pressuring the relationship because she wanted Lucy in New York as quickly as Blake would take her. 

"Three years is a decent amount of time to get to know someone," I add, wondering why I am feeding into this notion that I have a ring in my pocket, ready to produce it at any time. 

"Have you met his parent's Lucy?" Lauren asks and Lucy visibly shifts her seat. She cocks her head and stares at Lauren as she says, "Why am I suddenly so interesting? Let's talk about you Lo, how is being the greatest neurosurgeon on the upper east side?"

"Your sister actually just won a prestigious award," Mrs. Halloway says. "She wrote a paper"

"La de da," Lucy sings as she stares at her sister. 

"Yes, I won't bore you with the details of cerebrovascular surgery because I know you wouldn't understand it, but yeah- I did a thing." Lauren grins and then slides the fancy wine toward her. 

"We're so proud. It's why she came out, we wanted to fly to New York to celebrate but your father's work schedule has been insane," her mom says, her grin reaching her eyes. I realize the only grin that's been aimed toward Lucy was more of a grimace. 

"And here you get the best Italian food Tucson has to offer," I add in and Lucy gives my knee a squeeze. Mrs. Halloway spins her thin gold watch to check the time and then says, "Speaking of food, I had some appetizers brought in. If Lucy is going to drink that entire bottle, I should open up the veggie tray." Lauren smirks and then Lucy turns to me, "Want a tour?" She forces a smile and I am sure she doesn't want to sit out here alone with her sister while her mom busies herself in the kitchen. 

"Does your mom need help?" I offer but Lucy quickly shakes her head no. 

"Well just do it wrong. Come on, I'll show you my dad's antique golf club collection," she offers and I want to laugh at the absurdity of that statement. She then whispers, "It's next to his scotch collection." and I nod in understanding. 

"Gonna go sneak off to your old room and make out?" Lauren asks we stand from the table. 

"Your old room is here? Like, how you left it?" I ask Lucy eagerly and she glares at Lauren. 

"Yes, my parents haven't turned that room into a workout room quite yet."

"You should go show him what you used to look like. Let him know you once had a sense of purpose and direction." Her eyes narrow at Lucy and Lucy shockingly just flips off her sister before tugging the door open. 

"Lucy, I think you just need to rip the band-aid off and tell them you do have a sense of purpose and direction. I really can't sit by too much longer and not say anything as Lauren eats you alive," I whisper as we stride down a narrow hallway toward the back of the house. 

"I'm not going to have this conversation twice, so I am waiting until my dad gets here to lay out my plan," she whispers back, and then she pushes a door open to reveal a large bedroom behind it. My eyes glide around the space and the color palette matches the rest of the space. Wood headboard, beige covers and pillows, plush cream carpet and a white beaded chandelier sits in the center of the ceiling.