Detour

53: Sneaky Cole

(Warning ⚠️ This chapter includes intimate scenes that are not allowed for teens below 18 years old ⚠️ Read at your own risk.)

I reached over the soup in which Cole did for me and put some on my bowl. Everyone's busy eating their food in this long table but I can still feel their stares on me. Yes, I am that conscious.

"Thank you." I said in a small voice, enough for Cole to only hear.

"No worries, eat up."

I can't tell if Cole is more tensed than I am, having this dinner with his (almost) whole family. I took a glance at him and he is just... Well, aside from breathtaking, he's calm and looks formal in any kind of dinner you take him to. He speaks casually across the table and I guess it's already enough for me to tell he's a little comfortable now than how he was before (based on his stories).

I guess I can also relax now after meeting them all earlier...

I'm starting to wonder if Astrid is being demon-possessed or not. She just never stops laughing.

If it means to help me get out of this awkward situation, then please laugh until tomorrow As.

"Nanna, wait." She said between her laugh. Finally, having a grip of her own self.

"What's funny?" Hadleigh said without looking away from her book.

You better fix this, As.

"You look all so serious."

"Okay, what's wrong with that?" Agatha asked.

"Y'all, I have an announcement to make."

"Quit joking around." Hadleigh murmured.

"I can't keep it any longer." She laughed once again. "I'm really sorry, Jess."

Nanna look at me, then back to Astrid.

"Thanks, I finally felt you really take my words to your hearts—"

"What is it?" Nanna's face turned serious for a moment.

"Anyways, what I meant by 'Sister-in-law' is actually not 'sister-in-law official'—well, I know it will still come to that part—but anyway, I feel sorry for letting you all think Jess is already engaged with Cole." Astrid apologetically smiled and everyone fell silent.

This is embarrassing. What did I even do to be in this situation? Nothing.

"Astrid was just really playing with all of us." I joked, hoping they'd say a word now.

It was so silent until Agatha asked. "That's it?" Her eyebrows raised at Astrid and Astrid looks clueless. "That's all you're gonna say?"

"Of course! Were you all expecting some serious jokes?"

Uh...

Agatha rolled her eyes. "I thought you're gonna say Cole never arrived—"

"Or Jess is not Cole's girlfriend—"

Hadleigh was then interrupted by Viviana. "—Or Jess is YOUR girlfriend."

What?

"What?" Astrid and my mind asked the same thing. She laughed. "You all need to stop thinking just because I don't have a boyfriend, I'm a lesbian!"

I laughed. Here I am, thinking I'm the only one who gets the same thoughts from the people.

"Astrid has a major crush on Jay. However, I know a person who also makes me say that she's a lesbian."