“He comes when my mom calls. She wanted everything to be perfect, so that meant she wouldn’t be cooking,” Max chuckled lightly.

Matthew headed our way with open beer bottles in his hands. Max took one. “No thank you,” I said as politely as I could when Matthew offered me one.

“Then two for me,” Matthew said, and sat across from us. Leaning back into a comfortable position, he crossed his right leg over his left.

“Babe, would you like anything to drink?” Max asked after a taking a sip.

“No, thank you.” I didn’t want Max to leave my sight. Being under the microscope with Matthew was nerve wracking enough.

“So, how long are you in town, Matthew?” I asked, breaking the ice a little.

“Actually, I’ll be in town for awhile.” Matthew looked at Max when he replied.

“Really?” Max seemed surprise, raising his tone a bit. “Do Mom and Dad know?”

“They know. I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching on my trips. I know I need to settle down and help my family, especially since Dad wants to retire,” he said, running his thumb over his bottle. “I’ll be back to work soon.”

“Good,” Max said. “It’s about damn time.”

How lucky he was to have the luxury to travel and not have to worry about anything.

“So….” Matthew’s brows arched with a crooked smile. “How long have you two been…?” He paused, waiting for an answer.

My chest burned and I stiffened. Was he going to ask how long we’d been dating, or something else? Surely not the latter, but just from the little I knew of him, he would be the kind to be very blunt. Max felt my sudden movement and looked at his brother. “None of your business,” he chuckled. “And get your mind out of the gutter.”

“What?” Matthew laughed out loud. “My mind wasn’t there, but now I know.”

Being as red as I was, I might as well have drunk the beer Matthew had offered. To ease this awkward conversation, I broke in with a question. “So, Matthew….” I cleared my throat. “Max told me you’ve been backpacking through Europe. Did you go by yourself?”

Matthew scooted forward, sitting at the edge of the sofa with his legs spread apart. “I went with a friend. You should go sometime. It’s an amazing experience.” He twirled the almost empty bottle.

“I’ve always wanted to. I’ve known a couple of friends that have gone, and they say the same thing, but I think I would prefer to stay at a hotel instead of other people’s houses,” I smiled.

“We can go some day soon, babe,” Max said.

“If Max doesn’t take you, I will.” Matthew winked.

“Hey…mine, I said. Stake your claim on someone else,” Max joked.

Never having a sibling, it was refreshing to see two brothers at each other like that. And though Matthew was flirting out loud, Max took it as a joke. It was the ease and comfort they had with each other that I enjoyed observing. It was exactly like that with my circle of friends.

Max peered up when his mom walked in. “Time for lunch,” she said happily.

Max followed his mom with one hand behind my back, and Matthew followed behind us. Knowing Matthew was staring from behind, walking straight was almost impossible. It felt like he was studying me. Had Max not brought anyone to his home before? Perhaps Matthew was being protective of Max. But that sounded strange even thinking about it, since Max had told me Matthew was the irresponsible one who would never settle down and hold a job. So to hear him say that he would, Max must have been overjoyed.

Max sat next to me as we settled into our seats. Grilled halibut, assorted vegetables, baby racks of lamb, pasta salad, and the dessert I brought were all presented beautifully on the table. The flowers I brought had been placed in a vase and presented as a centerpiece in the middle of the table. Mr. Knight untied the apron he was wearing, took it off, and sat across from Max. “Carlos, this is Jenna,” Mr. Knight introduced as Carlos paced around to fill the glasses with water.

“Hello, Jenna,” he said with an Italian accent.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I said, watching him pour my glass. “Thank you.”

With a nod, he left for the kitchen.

“Eat away,” Mrs. Knight said, sitting across from me.

Max helped me filled my plate and everyone else followed after. As we ate, Max’s parents asked me questions about where I went to school, about my parents, and where I lived. From the corner of my eyes, I could see Max giving his parents funny looks. Though I was comfortable answering them, I knew Max didn’t like it. If I were in his shoes, I would’ve have done the same thing.

During dessert, Mr. Knight spoke about how he’d started the company, and what his vision was for the future. His story was long, but I was all ears. Everyone else seemed to be bored. I figured he must have told them the story a million times, but for me, it was fascinating.

As I continued to listen in awe, I jerked a little as if a bee had stung me. I was caught totally off guard. Max placed his hand on my thigh, and his pinky was rubbing me there. Hot…it was too hot. Trying not to make it obvious, I slipped my hand under the table as I listened and nodded to what Matthew was talking about without looking at Max. But Matthew knew. I could tell when he chuckled and raised his brows at Max. As I continued to smile, I tried to move Max’s hand away, but he wouldn’t let me. His grip was too strong…at least that dirty little pinky of his stopped moving.