Page 24 of Filthy Uncle To Go

“That’s a shame,” I say, scarfing down my rice. “You have an amazing kitchen. It’s professional-grade.”

“Yet all I use it for is to make coffee,” he says dryly, causing me to giggle again.

“Well, I’m going to put your kitchen to good use,” I declare. “I have to get my hands on that six-burner stove I saw!”

“I’ll hold you to that,” he grins, blue eyes dancing. “How are the chopsticks coming along? You look like you’re doing well,” he notes.”

I scrutinize my fingers.

“You know, I think I like using chopsticks more than using a fork,” I confess.

“They’re really not that bad once you know how to use them,” he says. “Look at you – now you’re a pro.” He points to my chopsticks as I nimbly pick up a few grains of rice.

“Yeah, I guess I am,” I say, laughing a bit.

“Let’s make a toast,” he says as he raises his glass.

“To what?” I ask as I raise mine as well.

“To you, Jenna,” he says. “For learning how to use chopsticks.”

“Okay, sounds good,” I giggle.

“Cheers,” he says.

“Cheers,” I repeat after him as our glasses clink against one another.

I’m not sure if it’s the glass of wine, but I feel warm all over. The air around us feels magical again, and I can’t stop staring into Drake’s eyes. I told myself that feelings for this man are wrong, but how can that be when everything feels so easy between us? I feel safe around him, and adoration radiates from his body. For a second, I forget that he’s my uncle, but then again, maybe that’s because he really isn’t.

But I still don’t understand why he cancelled on me last Sunday. Mom said he had to work, but I have a funny feeling that isn’t the truth. I’m not angry with him, but I do need to know what happened. I get that we’re in a tough situation, but that’s why I need the clarity — so that I can have peace of mind.

I stare down at my plate, nudging a piece of chicken with the chopsticks. This is the time to ask him, while things are relaxed. It’s now or never.

“I was surprised when my mom called me Sunday morning and said you couldn’t make it for the second day of Parents Weekend,” I begin a bit awkwardly. “I was really hoping you’d come.”

He sits back in his chair, places the chopsticks on his plate, and runs his fingers through his hair.

“Yeah, I want to apologize to you about that,” he says. “I woke up really early that morning feeling guilty about what we’d done. Don’t get me wrong, Jenna, I loved every second of it. Your body is gorgeous, and there aren’t many women who can take me the way you did. But your folks trusted me, and what we did violated their trust. As a result, I took off,” he says simply.

I stare at him. “But what is this then?” I ask, gesturing to the food. “Is this our last dinner together?”

Drake sighs and looks down, his expression tortured.

“I don’t know. I told myself that it was wrong and that I had to stay away from you, but that’s easier said than done. I’ve been thinking non-stop about you, honey, and I had to see you. That’s why I texted you this morning,” he admits. “My willpower broke down.”

Something cracks a bit in my heart.

“I know. I felt a little guilty that next morning too,” I confess. “But I don’t regret what happened between us.”

“I don’t either. I care about you a lot, Jenna, and what happened that night wasn’t just sex,” he says in a low voice, his blue eyes flaring. “It was real.”

“I feel the same way,” I say softly.

“I’m glad,” he growls. Then, Drake digs inside the to-go bag and pulls out two fortune cookies, handing one to me. “Let’s see what our future holds.”

“Okay.” I grin as I take the cookie from him. I don’t have a clue what our future holds, but I’m hoping for the best. Obviously, our situation isn’t ideal, and I’m still unsure about what’s going on between us, but the here and now feels right, and that’s all that matters to me. I open the small, plastic pouch and crack open the cookie, taking the fortune out of the center and placing it on the table. Drake opens his and begins to read it out loud.

“Wait!” I interrupt.