Chapter 16: Sixteen

The sun was already creeping through the blinds when my phone buzzed against my nightstand.

Jacob: Don’t forget! Uncle Ray’s barbecue today. 4 PM. Wear something cute, I’ll pick you up.

I stared at the screen for a few seconds, my pillow still half covering my face. Of course I’d forgotten. Last night had left my brain feeling like it had been run through a blender, Declan, the kiss, Cassie’s face as I sobbed in her arms. And now… a barbecue.

Perfect.

I groaned and flopped back onto the bed. “Why did I say yes to this?” I yelled.

“To what?” Cassie called out.

“The barbecue thing with Jacob.”

Cassie, probably in the kitchen, called out, “Because you need a distraction and Jacob’s hot.”

I rolled my eyes but dragged myself out of bed anyway.

By 3:30, I was standing in front of the mirror in a loose white sundress. I’d kept my makeup soft, hair down and wavy. I wasn’t trying too hard, and I didn’t really want to go, but I also wasn’t going to be showing up looking like I’d cried for two hours on the living room floor last night. Even if I had.

At exactly 3:58, the vroom sound of Jacob’s bike sounded outside our building.

I grabbed my bag, took a deep breath, and walked out.

He was leaning against the bike, sunglasses perched on his head, a cocky grin already on his face. “Well, damn.” He was wearing white too. A linen shirt. Jeans.

I squinted at him. “What?”

“You clean up well, Wills,” he said, holding out the extra helmet. “You always look good, but today? Geez.” He pretended to swoon. “My God, like a ray of light.”

Despite myself, I smiled. “That was so dumb.”

“But it worked.” He winked. “Didn’t it? Made you smile.”

I didn’t answer him, but who didn’t like a compliment?

I climbed on behind him, sliding the helmet on and wrapping my arms loosely around his waist. It was easy, being with Jacob. Comfortable. No complications, no confusion, just the easy warmth and his bad jokes.

As the bike roared to life and we pulled onto the street, I closed my eyes for a second and let the wind whip past my face.

Maybe Cassie was right.

Maybe I did need this.

Something normal. Something soft.

The scent of grilled meat hit me the second we pulled into the driveway. Oh, I had missed having barbecues.

There were already a bunch of people scattered across the lawn, kids running around with popsicles, two grandmas fanning themselves under patio umbrellas, men drinking beers and arguing about football scores. The backyard looked like something out of a summer postcard.

Jacob helped me off the bike and grabbed my hand without hesitation, lacing his fingers through mine like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“You have a big family,” I noted. “Well…kinda.” He responded.

His hand found mine, squeezing lightly. “Ready? I hope you’re a good actor.” I opened my mouth to say something, but he leaned in close and whispered, “Just go with it, alright?”

Before I could answer, a woman in her fifties came rushing over, her whole face lighting up at the sight of Jacob.

“Jacob! Finally. And this must be the famous Willow?”

He grinned and pulled me a little closer. “Yeah. My girlfriend.”

My eyes widened slightly, but I didn’t say anything.

“Well, thank God,” the woman said, pulling me into a warm hug. “We were starting to think Jacob made you up. You're even prettier than he said. And with those eyes? No wonder he’s smitten.”

Jacob beamed smugly and gave my waist a little squeeze. “Told you she was real.”

The rest of the family quickly followed, his uncle Carter, his cousins, some older relatives I couldn’t keep track of. Everyone was friendly, laughing, already treating me like one of their own. The compliments came in waves.

“How’d you land her, Jacob?”

“Poor girl must have a thing for hopeless cases.”

“I always knew you were punching above your weight, kid.”

He took it all in stride, grinning like an idiot, keeping his arm around me or his hand low on my back the entire time.

We ended up sitting together on a picnic blanket near the edge of the yard, sipping a beer and watching his cousins play badminton with zero hand-eye coordination.

“You’re really laying it on thick, huh?” I said, nudging him.

He smirked and leaned closer, voice low. “What, can’t a guy be proud of showing off his beautiful girlfriend?”

“Not your girlfriend,” I said, teasingly..

He laughed, eyes crinkling. “Still. Thanks for going along with it.”

I shrugged. “Just being a good friend.”

There was a flicker in his eyes then.. “Yeah, see… that’s the thing.”

“What?”

He looked at me, voice suddenly quieter. “I don’t really see you as just a friend.”

I stared at him, heart skipping a beat I didn’t want to acknowledge.

“Jacob—”

He raised his hands in mock surrender. “Hey, no pressure. Just saying what’s true. You don’t have to say anything.” He paused, “But you alread know how I feel about you, Wills.”

I looked down at my drink, unsure of what to say. The warmth of the afternoon wrapped around us. The sun was setting and the sky was dark. Jacob’s hand on mine was warm and steady.

He was safe. Kind. Easy.

But part of me was still somewhere else, locked in that office, in that kiss I hadn’t been able to forget.

I forced a smile and bumped my shoulder against his. “Let’s just get through this barbecue first, alright?”

He chuckled. “Deal.”

And just like that, he wrapped an arm around me again. I found myself leaning into his shoulder.