Roommates with Benefits [18+ only]

65. Will you...

TARA

"I don't think I've ever seen you like this." Kelly mused, eyeing me suspiciously.

I frowned, unsure I'd heard her right. She pretty much forced me to help her prepare the delayed birthday dinner for Granny, even though Lukas had offered. Hence, right now I was fully focused on making appetizers for tonight. "Like this what?" The good thing was that Lukas dodged the grilling I was sure Kevin was going to submit him to with the excuse of remaining alone with him to go pick up Granny from church.

"Happy."

I snapped to my sister baffled, but she wasn't looking at me, her eyes were on the steaks she was making. "You've never seen me happy?"

"Cheerful? Yes. In a good mood, content ... sure. But truly, stupidly happy ... no, I don't think I have. Until Lukas, that is."

I blushed, so I turned back to the smoked salmon crostini – she'd laid out and prepared everything, all I had to do was put each ingredient together. I preferred not to reply, because I knew what Kelly meant.

I don't need to see myself in the mirror to know I have that goofy, lovesick smile on my face every time I'm with Lukas. We spent the past two days with my close family, namely Kelly, Kevin and Granny, so I guess it was visible.

"I'm serious," my sister insisted, coming into my peripheral vision while I was putting herb cheese spread on a few crostini. "I know I warned you against him, but that was just my sisterly duty."

"Kay ..." I sighed, not wanting to hear her talk about how my boyfriend has a reputation and I should be aware that players don't change their behavior for long.

"I mean it." Kelly insisted, grabbing my wrist to stop me from doing my job and focus on her. "I hope you understand what I do and say is always aimed at your best interests."

I was confused, Kelly is usually straightforward, but not like this. I turned to her, and offered her a small smile. "I know." I pursed my lips. "I ... well, I do feel happy." I admitted, lowering my glance because I knew full well my cheeks were as red as a tomato.

"There's no shame in it."

"I know."

"I hope you do know." I could feel Kelly's inquiring gaze on me.

I looked up. "What do you mean?"

"I mean you're not really great at appreciating yourself, Taz." Kelly went back to the steaks, to avoid burning them. I followed her with my eyes. "And yes, it has a lot to do with the tyrant we have as a mother."

"Kelly ..."

"I had a talk with Lukas."

"What?" I nearly gasped.

My sister shrugged, stirring the pot that contained the spaghetti she was cooking. "You were with Granny, so I took the chance."

"Kelly ..." I whined, exasperated. "What is it with you people? Kevin wants to grill him, you already questioned him. Only Granny is nice to Lukas." I scoffed.

"Granny knew his late mom and grandma in person, she has to be nice to the guy."

I rolled my eyes. "She is nice to him because, unlike you and Kev, she doesn't judge him by his past or his looks." I defended. "Just because he's hot, doesn't mean he's a dick. And yeah, ok, he's been with a lot of women, but so what? That's the past, the present is what we have and the future-"

"Calm down." Kelly cut me off. When she looked at me, mildly amused, I realized my whole face was red, including my ears. "I wasn't going to say anything bad about him, there was no need for your heartfelt defense." My sister chuckled, which really annoyed me, but I tried to calm down.