“What do you want me to do? Tell her to go home? J, if you’re not interested, she’ll live.”

“I don’t want to have to be warding off her attempts to flirt or talk. I can’t be rude to the woman.”

“Why does it matter anyway? So, she flirts? What, you can’t talk to a single good-looking woman without it turning into something?” He’s still looking at the television so he doesn’t notice me stiffen at the question with the underlying accusation. What was the big deal? After today, never talk to her again if you’re not interested. The big deal had to do with me sitting in the same room witnessing said flirtation and seething with jealousy over something I had no business being jealous over. But he couldn’t tell my father that.

“Nothing, never mind,” he mutters, because really what could he say? I don’t like women flirting with me now? It makes me uncomfortable especially in front of your daughter who just so happens to be my ex-girlfriend?

“You’re being weird,” Kevin says, looking at Jacob and I quickly look down at my phone before his gaze pans to mine and can potentially see something in my eyes that I can’t hide from one of the people responsible for bringing me into this world.

No more than a minute later, my mom and Georgina are back in the room and suddenly I feel like my spacious living room is again way too small. Georgina sits next to Jacob on the love seat as it’s one of the few seats open and why not? Despite her sitting next to him and the whole reason for her being here, she turns her attention to me.

“Congratulations by the way! How excited are you?” She leans across and holds her hand out. “Let me see your ring!” I’m used to this. It’s all I’ve heard for the past month. I hold out my hand and she beams. “It’s beautiful! He did good!” Typical response. My eyes flit toward Jacob for no more than a second who’s staring daggers at my finger.

Good, now we’re both annoyed.

“I feel like I haven’t heard the story of how you two met anyway?” Jacob asks. “Don’t tell me a dating app?” he jokes condescendingly.

I furrow my brows at the judgment in his voice. My dad chuckles before taking a sip of his drink and my mother chimes in, ever my biggest fan. “Don’t be like that Jacob, that’s how all the kids are meeting people these days!”

His eyes dart to mine and he doesn’t even attempt to hide the anger. “You went out with some guy you met online? Alone? Was Chloe at least with you the first time?”

“Calm down, dad,” I snap and his blue eyes darken and narrow in response. I didn’t call you daddy so don’t even look at me like that.

“That’s exactly what I said,” my father interjects and I snap my gaze to him who’s shaking his head at Jacob.