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‘Eat’ He thrusts it intoast!’ I spit harshly, halting all chopping and sipping at our table

‘Ava Mouth!’ Jesse recoils, and I can feel my mum and dad’s shocked stares from across the table I’ to force feedaround and co an already co at? I’h to think that his dislike of Jesse and concern for nore Jesse’s incredulous stare and et up fro?’ Jesse stands with , even in front of ive a flying fk where he is and who is present He’ll be mad at me or ravishto stop hio to pass hirasps ht in the eye ‘I said, sit down and eat your breakfast’

‘Yes, I thought you did’ He pulls me back down onto my chair and placeshis mouth to my ear ‘Ava, this isn’t the tiht around And have a little respect in front of your parents’ His hand h ‘I like this dress’ he whispers

I smile sweetly attheir breakfast He has nerve Have some respect for my parents? My teeth clench when he brushes the sea the battle, so he saturates ain the power Daether and pick uphands while he continues to wreak havoc on me with his hot breath in my ear, and my parents continue happily with their breakfast They’ve spent ti for constant contact

He pulls away and hits , satisfied stare Yes, he’s won now, but only because he’s absolutely right This really isn’t the time or the place, especially with hted by the news ht, Ava’ Dad pipes up, coe’

‘Yes,’ My rees quickly ‘It’s not very ladylike’

I don’t have to look at ness has just expanded ‘Thank you, Joseph,’ His knee knocks ht back

‘So when are you two honey?’ Mum smiles across the table at us

‘Whenmy toast ‘When will that be, lady?’

I nibble a corner of toast and shrug ‘When I have tiot a lot to sort out at work My husband knows that’ I turn accusing eyes on hi at?’ I ask

‘You’

‘What aboutabout you Your beauty, your spirit, your need to drive htens my diamond ‘And the fact you’rewith giddiness atman and his open need to drown me in his adoration ‘Oh, Joseph’ she croons ‘Do you rehs ‘Coet on the road’ He brushes his mouth with his napkin and stands

Mu fondly across the table at us My dad leaves the restaurant, and I turneven paler than usual and her vibrant red hair appearing dull She’s picking at soly oblivious to her despondent state It’s obvious that she’s struggling with more than just a bad head and a queasy tunorant My eyes leave Sam and Kate and travel back across the roo at her

‘You’ve noticed it, too?’ Jesse asks quietly when he’s obviously caught the direction of aze

‘Yes, but I’ve been warned tomy eyes from Dan

‘You have, but I didn’t say you couldn’t tell your brother to back off’

My eyes shoot to Jesse’s profile, but he ignores my shock and stands when oodbyes’ She brushes her skirt down and leaves the roo Kate a shoulder rub en-route Kate smiles a little, then looks over at h toto say to my usually fiery friend She looks in complete turmoil, but I can’t help but be mad with her

I quickly remember what Jesse said before my mum left the table ‘You want me to warn my brother off?’ I ask

He looks at me carefully as he sits back down ‘I think he needs to be told I don’t want to upset you by doing it myself, so perhaps you should have a ith him’

I’ve already tried to have a word, and I know it fell on deaf ears, but I won’t be telling Jesse that because it will undoubtedly prompt him to intervene ‘I’ll speak to him’ I put my unfinished toast back on the plate ‘And before you start, I’ry’