When Lightning Strikes

When Lightning Strikes: Chapter 18

Dinner at the Levine’s was lovely. Everyone crowded around the table and discussed about random things. I liked the feeling of being in their family. It made me feel content, but at the same time, a bit guilty. This was Aubrey’s spot, not mine.

“Do you like trees?”

I looked down next to me where Delilah sat. She was smiling prettily at me and showing off her plate of cut-up chicken and vegetables. She had to be one of the healthiest kids I’ve ever seen in the modern day world. Camille had told me that she wasn’t allowed to eat candy, chocolate and coke until she was seven, although chocolate in small things like brownies or cookies was an exception. Not that she needed persuading or anything – the girl preferred fresh juice, a bowl of fruit and vegetables any day.

“Yeah, I like trees.” I was baffled on why she was asking.

Warren ruffled his daughter’s hair affectionately. “She means broccoli. She can’t say it, so she calls them trees.”

“Daddy, I can hear you,” she said, making us all laugh. “They are trees! Look!”

He nodded. “Mhmm, very small trees indeed, munchkin.”

Delilah held one up to her mouth. “Yep, they’re small because I’m small too!”

She was too cute for words. Throughout dinner, I helped feed her and she would do the same, giving me the bigger carrot pieces. I could feel the smiles from everyone at the table, especially Jason. His eyes always softened whenever I interacted with his little sister. It made me break out into pleasant goose bumps.

After everyone finished dinner, Stella and I volunteered to wash the dishes so Camille could rest. I saw Cale look at Jason meaningfully and they stalked off together, probably to talk about the twisted love triangle we were trapped in. Camille took Delilah upstairs for a bubble bath, while Warren was cleaning out his workshop in the garage.

This meant that Stella and I were alone in the quiet kitchen. As expected, she took advantage of the privacy to interrogate me after we decided that I would rinse and she would dry.

“So, you and Jason hey? You know, I completely approve, even if he is engaged. I know she’s your sister, but I don’t think she completes him like you do. I can’t believe I never saw it!”

By the end of her little speech, there were stars in her eyes. She was excited for me, but I didn’t feel the same.

“You do realise that we can’t be together?” I asked.

She looked dismayed. “Why not? I know a wedding’s big and all, but I do believe in true love. You guys are perfect together. The way he looks at you is so romantic.”

Hmm. I wondered how he looked at me when I wasn’t watching. “Aubrey and Jason have been together for a very long time. I’m not coming in between that.”

Stella rolled her eyes. “Posh! You already have!” I cringed and when she saw, she immediately apologised. “No, I don’t mean to sound harsh! I’m saying it in a good way. I don’t know what Jason is thinking, but if he has feelings for you, he should cancel the wedding.”

I shook my head, confident in what I said next. “Our feelings will go away sometime.”

This was when Stella turned to me with pursed lips. “People marry because they truly love each other right? If Jason truly loved Aubrey, then what’s he doing with you even if it is temporary? I guess thinking a chick is hot is alright, but having feelings for them isn’t. If I were getting married and I learnt that Cale liked someone else other than me, but loved me more or something, I’d be downright pissed. I’d cancel the wedding because Cale would need to sort his feelings out.”