Page 62 of Twilight Destiny

“How have you been?” Lena asked. “Still happy with your job?”

“You bet. I’m due for a raise next month.”

“Are you seeing anyone?”

Rosa bit down on her lower lip. Should she mention Jake?

“I know that look,” her father said. “Who is he? What does he do for a living? How long have you known him?”

“One question at a time!” Lena admonished with a smile.

“I have been seeing someone,” Rosa said slowly. “But we’ve only been out a few times.”

“But you like him?” her father asked, a twinkle in his eye.

“Yes, Papà,I like him.”

“Enough questions,” Lena said. “Come, Rosie. I was about to makecannoli.”

Micah and Holly arrived shortly after sundown, closely followed by Angela, her husband, Steve, and their two kids, Jane and Gina. Now eight and five, she couldn’t believe how the girls had grown since she’d last seen them. Rosa missed her other sisters and brothers. They had always had such great times when they all got together. Even with half of the family still on vacation, there was laughter and good-natured joking around the table. Dinner had been awkward when Micah, and later, Holly, became vampires. At first, they hadn’t come over on Sundays until after dinner, but the initial awkwardness soon passed. Now, no longer self-conscious about eating in front of Micah and his wife, the rest of the family dined on her mom’s homemade pasta, her father’s spaghetti sauce, and bread still warm from the oven. There was wine for the adults and sodas for the kids.

Rosa found herself missing Jake as she looked around the table. Except for her, all the other adults were happily married. It made her feel suddenly more alone than ever before. Where was Jake? If she had invited him tonight, would he have come? Or would he feel uncomfortable, being there with her family while hiding what he was from everyone but Micah and Holly?

She excused herself from the table and went into the living room when her cell phone rang. “Jake! I was just thinking about you.”

“I know.”

She bit down on her lower lip. Took a deep breath. And blurted, “Would you like to come over to my parents’ house? We’re about to have dessert.”

He hesitated for a moment, then said, “If you want me to be there, I will.”

“I do.”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Please?”

“All right, love. I’ll be there in five.”

She smiled as she resumed her seat at the table.

“No phones during dinner,” her father reminded her.

“I know, but it was my young man.” She felt Micah staring at her but assiduously avoided his gaze. “He’s coming over in a few minutes.”

Lena and Luciano exchanged knowing glances. None of their kids had ever invited their dates to the house unless the relationship was serious.

“Can I talk to you for a minute, Rosie?” Micah asked.

“I don’t think so,” Rosa replied, rising. “He’s here.” She didn’t stop to wonder how she knew that as she hurried to open the door. “Hi.”

“Hi.” Lowering his voice, Jake said, “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“I don’t care. I miss you. Come in.” Taking his hand, she led him into the living room, where the family had gathered. As she made introductions all around, she was acutely aware of the tension humming between Micah and Jake.

When all the introductions had been made, Angela and Lena went into the kitchen to get the desserts and brew a pot of coffee while Micah opened two bottles of wine.

Jake politely declined dessert, saying he’d already eaten, but he readily accepted a glass of wine.