True Beginnings Read Online Free Page A

jaw, "Oh, honey, you have a little smudge."
    Lucy moves her head down quickly to cover the bruise with her hair again, but not before seeing the accusing look Jake shoots at me. Stephie doesn't notice anything and goes back to teasing Dan.
    Lucy remains with her head down, her eyes turned pleadingly up at me though. Jake turns to face me more and looks like he's going to say something. I only smile calmly at my brother's clenched jaw.
    "Here you are! I looked around the restaurant for you since I'm so late!" Jake's girlfriend interrupts his glare. He relaxes his face and returns her hug, taking his eyes off of me.
    "Hi, Julia." I give her a hug in return too and turn her towards Lucy, "Lucy, Julia."
    "Nice to meet you!" both girls say in unison, shaking hands. Lucy's laugh is shaky and shy. I put my arm around her and pull her to my side firmly.
    Mike arrives within seconds, "Sorry I'm late! Had to get across town in the Friday rush!" He slides in to stand next to Stephie.
    She kisses him, but says, "I gave your drink away...serves ya right!" Dan and Becca laugh at this, but Lucy only buries her head more in my side. Good girl.
                                                                                        .....
    Jake sits across the long table from me. His look keeps travelling from me to Lucy. His jaw is no longer clenched though; his eyes are more questioning, his brow pulled down. I return his stare calmly, keeping my face neutral.
    Lucy remains with her hands in her lap, not picking up the menu in front of her. I put my hand on her knee and she grabs it with both of hers like a lifesaver.
    Stephie turns to Lucy suddenly, "Hey...Lucy, we never got what you do for a living?!"
    "I...I'm in human resources," Lucy is thrown off by the sudden spotlight again. "I'm in recruiting."
    "My lucky day! ...maybe you could help me then!" Julia is leaning over her menu across the table. "I could really use some interviewing pointers." She tells the rest of the table that she's trying for a promotion, but has to interview for the job since it's with a different division.
    "Yeah, Max. You'd like that wouldn't you... your girlfriend helping mine to get ahead in the business world?!" Jake says this quietly, but with enough sarcasm to make Julia look at him questioningly.
    Lucy answers before I can, "I'd love to help!"
    "Great! Maybe over lunch next week...my treat?!" Julia sits back, smiling at Lucy, but still with a frown at the looks Jake and I are exchanging.
    "Sounds good," Lucy answers quietly, also responding to the tension between us.
    "How's your little business going, Jake?" I take a drink of wine, still calmly meeting my brother's stare. He clenches his jaw again.
    Dan interrupts, "I heard you got a city contract to make over the old Union Building? Congrats, Jake!" Dan gives me his "be cool" look...eyes wide, brows raised, head nod, raising his glass in Jake's direction. Big brother trying to make peace. Both Mike and Dan are aware of our family rift.
    Mike joins in the peacekeeping effort, "Yeah, that's a big deal...congrats!" He raises his glass for everyone to cheer. I join in, but don't clink glasses with Jake. He pulls his glass away from mine too.
    The waitress arrives and stops next to my chair, "Hello, Mr. Traeger. It's so nice to see you! Do you remember me? I worked at Frogs Leap as a hostess!" I try to remember all the employees I come in contact with at the LPE restaurants...it's a very incestuous business and it's important to put names with faces quickly when making decisions about staff.
    "Of course. Veronica! It's great to see you too."
    "And thanks for the recommendation! It made getting this job super easy!"  She had been a good employee, but we closed the place down for four months of renovations last year and let everyone go.
    "I'm glad! Let me know if you're ever looking to make a move back, we have an opening in parties and