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“I know, but I like being prepared. Last time it was all about being new parents. Not to mention the fact there were two of them. This time we will be outnumbered and have three, three and under. It’s a lot to try and prepare for.”
“How can I help?”
Ashleigh’s eyes twinkle, and there is something about the look she is giving me that I don’t like. “Oh, you can help by telling me all the details of your life.”
I scrunch up my face in confusion. “What are you talking about? You already know all the details of my life. There are no details. I have no life.”
“Uh, whatever it is that’s going on between you and Mark!” She says it like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.
“There’s nothing going on between me and Mark Winters.” I try to keep my voice even, which is in complete contradiction to what my heart rate is doing.
Ashleigh looks at me in disbelief, “Oh, please. I realize the last time I was single I was fifteen, and I’m an old married woman now, but I have eyes, Millie. There was definitely something going on on Saturday at dinner.”
“What are we talking about?” Danny comes in with his mouth full of donut and his iced coffee in hand.
“Nothing!” I say as Ashleigh says, “Dinner on Saturday.”
Danny nods.
“What’s with the nod? Nothing happened at dinner!” I’m getting defensive, but nothing happened. It was a Jacobson Family Dinner as usual. Sure, it was the first one that Mark had been to in years, but that was it. Nothing out of the ordinary happened. Okay, so he might have checked me out, but that was it. Nothing else.
“There was a vibe,” Ashleigh explains.
“There was nothing to vibe.”
Danny puts his arm around Ashleigh as he sits behind her on the arm of the sofa. “There was totally a vibe.”
“What vibe? There was no vibe.” What are they even referring to? Nothing happened.
“You and Mark.” Danny is being way too casual about this.
“Nothing is going on! I ran into Mark at work on Friday. Mom invited him to dinner, and he came. End of story.” I’m ranting now but come on. I’m totally being tag-teamed right now, and this whole thing is coming out of left field. “Mark and I didn’t even talk to each other at dinner.”
“Exactly,” Ashleigh says as she stretches her arms and leans forward while my brother starts rubbing her back. She looks back over at me, “You two were completely ignoring each other.”
“So because we were ignoring each other there must be something going on and there was a vibe?”
Danny takes a long drink from his straw. “You and Mark have always had this kind of connection. You just get each other. You always talk. You’re one of the few people who can get him to open up.” He takes another drink. “The fact that you wouldn’t even look at each other says that there is something going on, even if neither of you will admit it. Besides, I’m pretty sure I saw him watching you a time or two.”
“Not to mention the last time both of you were in town at the same time was at Ben and Belinda’s wedding, and you two got pretty cozy on the dance floor.” Ashleigh gives me a smug look. She’s lucky she’s pregnant.
There is so much to digest right now, but I circle back to what Danny said, “Wait, you said ‘even if neither of you will admit to it.’ Danny, please tell me you haven’t said anything to Mark about this.”
Silence.
“Danny,” I warn. “Tell me you haven’t said anything about this to anyone outside of this house.”
Still nothing.
“Danny! I can’t believe you! This is so embarrassing!” My cheeks are blazing, and my heart is racing.
He shrugs. “It’s my brotherly duty to make sure only guys with the best of intentions come near my little sister.” He flashes his devilish grin. “Besides, why does it matter? If there isn’t anything going on?”
I bury my face in my hands. I can’t believe this is happening. I’m going to kill Danny for this. Ashleigh too, as soon as that baby is born.
Danny gets up, “Well, this has been fun. I’m going to head into the office now.”
One last kiss to Ashleigh and he’s out the door.
