Starter Wife (The Jilted Wives Club Book 1) by Bethany Lopez (a court of thorns and roses ebook free TXT) 📕

He looked up guiltily and said, “I hope this is all right. I’m starving.”

“Yes, of course, that’s what it’s there for,” I replied, then on impulse I moved in and placed an arm around his waist, before leaning in and putting my head on his shoulder and enjoying the feel of him.

And the smell. Damn, he smells good.

Luca wrapped his arm around me and hugged me tight.

“What were we talking about? Oh, my dad … yeah, I feel good about it. He’s worked hard his whole life, as has my mother, and they both deserve to relax and enjoy each other now. I think it’ll be good for him, too. Not just emotionally, but for his health. He spent the bulk of my life seriously stressed out. Already he looks much more relaxed.”

“Sounds like the right decision then.”

When I heard the sounds of my kids coming down the stairs, my first instinct was to step quickly out of Luca’s arms and put distance between us so they wouldn’t feel uncomfortable. But I made myself stay where I was.

They needed to see me with Luca, being affectionate with someone other than their father, so they could come to terms with the shift in our family. It wasn’t like I’d make out with him in front of them or anything, but I wanted them to understand that he was special to me.

Plus, it would be rude and hurtful to Luca if I acted like I was ashamed to be seen innocently touching him.

It was something we’d all have to get used to, because with each passing day, Luca was becoming more and more important to me.

Twenty-Two

Luca

I felt Whitney stiffen slightly and then relax seconds before her teenagers came bounding down the stairs.

The first was a young lady who was the spitting image of Whitney. With long brown hair and the same soft brown eyes as her mother, she wore a look of surprise when she saw her mom leaning against me, before it turned into a welcoming smile.

Close on her heels was a boy who was taller and a bit gangly, as if he hadn’t quite grown into his limbs yet, with an easy expression on his face.

“Is the food ready?” he asked before his feet had hit the floor.

Whitney chuckled and said, “Almost,” before stepping away and saying, “Luca, meet Stella and Silas, the loves of my life.”

Stella rolled her eyes good-naturedly while Silas muttered, “Why?”

“Stella … Si, this is Luca.”

“How’s it going?” I asked.

“Good. It’s nice to meet you,” Stella replied.

While Silas lifted his chin and said, “’Sup,” before moving to the charcuterie board and grabbing a handful of cheese.

“Jeez, Si, be polite,” Whitney said, her tone slightly horrified.

Stella just shrugged and said, “You get used to it.”

“I’ve been a fourteen-year-old boy, so I get it,” I joked, pleased when she smiled in response.

“I just have to mash the potatoes and sauté the asparagus and dinner will be ready,” Whitney was telling her son as she moved around the island to presumably do just that. “Don’t fill up on that stuff.”

“As if I could ever fill up on some cheese and grapes,” Silas muttered as he picked more food off of the board. “I’m so hungry I might die.”

I chuckled as memories of my brother and I at his age surfaced. I remember we were like bottomless pits and it seemed like we were always looking for our next meal. My ma had said we’d almost made them go bankrupt when we were teenagers.

“Is there anything I can help you with?” I offered.

“You want to choose the wine?” she asked, pointing to the wall, which had a wine rack up top and a wine fridge beneath it. “Stella, can you set the table please? Si, help your sister.”

We all moved to complete our tasks and I was surprised when the kids helped without so much as a grumble. My siblings and I always helped our mom when she asked, but we never did so quietly.

Since I smelled poultry, I opened the wine fridge and looked inside for a nice crisp chardonnay to accompany the meal. When I found what I was looking for, I took it out and moved to place it on the island.

“Corkscrew?” I asked.

Whitney looked up from her mashing and said, “The drawer by the fridge. And there’s a chilled bucket in the freezer in the garage, right through that door.”

I went through the door she’d indicated, on the other side of the stairs and opposite of the door to the back deck. I flicked on the light, marveled at how clean and organized her garage was, and crossed to open the small chest freezer in the back of the garage. Once I had the chilled bucket, I went back inside.

“Shall I put these on the table?” I asked, holding up the bucket and the wine.

“Please. Thank you.”

I went in the direction Stella and Silas had gone when Whit told them to set the table and found my way to the large formal dining room. It was classically decorated with matching walnut furniture, cream-colored walls, and paintings featuring deep, bold colors. There was a buffet, curio cabinet, and matching eight-person dining room table. It was round, which showcased how large the room really was.

Stella and Silas were putting the finishing touches on the table, which was very well done.

“Wow, you guys put together a nice table. My ma would love it. She’s big on a beautifully set table, no matter the occasion. I’m impressed,” I told them as I placed the bucket on an empty doily in the center of the table, close to the flowers. “Does this go here?”

“Yeah, that’s fine,” Stella replied as she finished putting out the last place setting.

“So, uh, do you guys play any sports or anything?” I asked once the wine was in the chiller.

“No, not anymore. I used to play volleyball, but now I have a job, so with