They were still holding hands, all the way out to his car… and then the several hours all the way back to his place… Sharon could get used to this. Yeah, she and Jake had been acting like they were in a relationship for the past few weeks, but they definitely hadn’t been holding hands like this the whole time.

In fact, now that things were ‘official,’ he was being much more tactile, period.

Sharon totally approved. Of course, coming home meant they were going to have to face the next difficult task – their friends.

18

Jake and Sharon had just settled down on his couch with a tray full of snacks, a beer for him, and a hard root beer for her, when someone knocked on his door. Frowning, he raised his head and turned to look, even though he obviously wasn’t going to be able to see anything. He just couldn’t imagine who would be showing up right now.

“Who is it?” Sharon asked. She was tucked into his side with his arm around her shoulders.

“No id-” he started to say when the person knocked again and called out. He groaned as he immediately recognized his sister’s voice.

“Jake! Jakie-poo! Let me in, let me in!” Lexie called out, the words only slightly muffled by the door.

Sharon giggled, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Is our line ‘not by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin’?”

“Shh,” Jake whispered back. “Maybe if we’re really quiet she’ll go away.” They hadn’t turned on the television yet, so there was a chance.

More knocking, this time even louder than before and then she started pushing the doorbell.

“Open up, Jake, I saw your car in the parking lot, so I know you’re in there!” Lexie said the words in a kind of sing-song voice. Then she rang the doorbell again.

And again.

And again.

With a low groan, Jake slid his arm away from Sharon and stood up. His sister was stubborn; there was every chance that she would just keep it up until he answered. Since he didn’t want the neighbors complaining about the noise, the only solution on his end was clear.

At least Sharon didn’t seem to mind. She had her hand over her mouth, muffling her giggles as she looked up at him, her dark eyes filled with amusement. She would think this was funny. With a growl, Jake stalked away from the couch and over to the door, yanking it open and glaring down at his sister.

Despite being petite, both in height and size, Lexie was not at all intimidated by his scowl.

“What took you so long?” she demanded to know even as she wrapped her arms around him for a hug. Sighing in resignation, Jake returned the hug and transferred his glare to her so-called-Dom, who was standing behind her.

“Aren’t you supposed to control her?” he asked crossly.