True Beginnings Read Online Free Page B

catering..." I know this is one of the areas that all waitstaff love...better pay, bigger tips, and less hours. She'd be perfect since she already knows most of the menu and the catering manager.
    Her smile gets bigger. "I'll think about it! Thank you!" She turns to the rest of the table, "Some of you look set on drinks, I'll get orders for those who aren't.  But does anyone have any questions on the menu so far?"
    Jake speaks up, "Lucy...do you have a question? You've hardly looked at your menu..." He's staring pointedly at me though.
    Veronica starts to turn to Lucy, but I answer, also staring at Jake, "She's fine." He bows his head sarcastically to me.
    Mike breaks the tension. "Actually...I think we could use more drinks all around, Veronica!" Stephie and Becca gulp down the last of their drinks and hand their empties to Veronica. She doesn't miss a beat. Jake finally stops glaring at me when it's his turn to order.
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    The rest have left already, leaving Jake and me alone. Dan squeezed my shoulder on his way out and said, "Play nice, boys." Giving Jake a nod as good-bye. Lucy and Julia excused themselves to the bathroom shortly after.
    Jake doesn't waste any time, as soon as we’re alone, "I can't believe you!" He's staring at me, leaning forward, his hands open on the cleared table. I only look at him, waiting for him to continue. He was always more emotional than me. "You're really following in Ron's footsteps now, aren't you?!" He's trying for sarcastic, but it comes across as more questioning.
    "Our Father is a good man, Jake. Careful how you speak about him." I lower my voice, speak slowly, and give him the The Look. It's what we had called the expression that came over our Dad's face when we did something wrong. Brows furrowed, jaw clenched, eyes piercing. We always knew we were in trouble when we got that look.
    Jake is my little brother. I've always protected him. But I am not going to take shit off of him. He's always responded to me, backing off when I really push him. He leans back in his chair, taking a deep breath. "Look, Max..." He runs his hand through his waves, and leans forward into the table once more. Lowering his voice to almost a whisper, "I can tell that you really like this girl...and she's obviously crazy about you..." He falters when I sigh and frown more.
    "I love her. And she loves me." I can see that he's surprised at my matter-of-fact tone in making this statement about a girl that he hasn't even met before.
    He shakes his head in response, "But, you don't have to go down this path..." He shrugs at the end. Lucy and Julia are returning to the table, so he says no more. He stands up before either of them can sit back down. I stand up too.
    But I wait until short good-byes are given, before grabbing Lucy in a hug. "You were a very good girl tonight!" She beams a smile up at me. "Except for that one slip...we'll have to address that later." The pretty shift from disappoint, fear, and anxious need to please that plays across her face makes me smile and kiss her again. "Let's go. It's been a long day, baby."
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    In the car, Lucy falls asleep with her head on my shoulder. Poor, girl...she has had a long day. The beginning to all the rest of our days together.
    I still can't believe how quickly everything's progressed with Lucy. We've only known each other a little over a month, and I'm already comfortable being myself with her. No keeping a distance, like with the girls I took on random dates to events and just for sex. No hiding what I believe until I think the moment is right to try for something more meaningful, like with past girlfriends. No pretending that a girl