“Hey, while I have you here in the mood for toasting, let me add something.”
Everyone waits, the pressure mounting as they all try to guess what he’s going to say.
I try to warn him off, but he ignores my sunglass-covered stare.
“I just wanted to share the good news that Sarah has agreed to stay here with me until further notice.”
I let out a long breath of relief. He didn’t do what I thought he was going to do. I’m not sure what I would have done if he had.
“Cheers!” says Robinson. He and Leah are the only ones smiling, though.
“Cheers,” I say, smiling as best I can. It’s kind of hard, though, when the tension is so high.
The glasses go down to the table and everyone starts eating again. I’m hoping the moment will pass, but I shouldn’t be so naive. There’s an elephant in the room and he’s about to start stomping across the table.
“So, that’s exciting,” Jana says, cutting some spaghetti with her knife and putting it on a highchair tray behind her. Cassie’s not sitting in it yet, but she will be soon. Her dinner is almost ready. “You guys living together. Is that like, as a couple? Are you dating?”
Robinson bumps her with his elbow, and she glares at him in response. I can’t tell if he did it on purpose or not.
“Yep.” Jeremy obviously has no compunctions about total honesty. Maybe it’s part of his AA thing. “And I’ve asked her to think about marrying me when she’s ready.” He shoves a huge bite of pasta in his mouth, like all he’s done is announce tomorrow’s weather forecast.
Jana and James both drop their forks with a clang into their dishes.
“That’s amazing!” Leah says, jumping to her feet. She runs over and kisses me on the cheek and then Jeremy too. “Oh, I’m so happy for you!”
“Does this mean she said yes? Or was it a maybe?” James asks. He turns to look at me.
“I said I’d think about it.” I stare at my plate, too embarrassed to look anywhere else. They hate me. I knew they would.
“Well, I for one, think it’s great,” says Robinson. “Well done, Jer. Taking the leap again after all you’ve been through. I admire your courage.” He lifts his glass into the air again. “Here’s to new romance and a happy household over here in Brooklyn again.”
Jana and James stare at each other for a few seconds before looking at Robinson. He doesn’t wait for them to join. He just gestures with the glass, winks, and drinks.
I put my silverware down in my bowl. I’ve completely lost my appetite. The pressure in the room is ridiculous, and I’m about one insult away from jumping down someone’s throat. Jeremy is trying really hard here, and his siblings are being dicks. Don’t they realize what he’s been through? Don’t they care that he’s happy again?
“It’s a big step,” Jana says, looking at Jeremy. “You just got back on your feet.”
“Thanks to her,” Jeremy says, gesturing at me with his bread. “She’s my rock.”
“You used to say that about Laura,” James says. He’s speaking through gritted teeth.
“So?” Jeremy’s chin goes up. “You’ve got a problem with that?”
James shrugs. “Don’t you?”
I take my napkin from my lap and stand, placing it by my plate.
“Where are you going?” Jeremy asks, taking my wrist to stop me from leaving.
“I can’t stay and listen to this. I’m sorry.”
“Babe.” He pleads with his eyes. “Please don’t go.”
I clench my teeth together as I war with myself. I can’t abandon him; not when he’s looking at me like that. But neither can I just sit here and let them treat him like this.
I look around the table and take a deep breath.
“Here it comes,” whispers Leah. “Buckle your seatbelts.”
I ignore her and begin to say what I have to say.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
“I KNOW THAT JEREMY AND I met just a few weeks ago, and that this isn’t enough time to get to know someone enough to marry him. And I know that he lost his wife less than a year ago, and they were very deeply in love. But I did get to know a lot of things about him, about Laura, about all of you, and about his life, and I can tell you right now that if it weren’t for the love he has for you, none of us would be sitting here sharing this meal today.”