Broken(15)

Gertie came out of the kitchen to announce dinner would be out shortly. She gave Jocelyn a brief nod of acknowledgement before heading back to her domain. Jocelyn took no offense at the other woman’s abruptness. Gertie wasn’t much on words or displaying emotion, but her heart was usually in the right place. She’d been the family’s cook for as long as Jocelyn could remember. But despite her gruffness, she was a big softie on the inside.

Aunt Earlene took her place at the head of the table and turned a ferocious frown on her youngest nephew. “Cade, where are your manners, boy. Aren’t you going to greet Jocelyn?”

Cade raised a dark blond brow. “I’m sorry. Is it my turn?” He turned that steely gaze back in her direction. “Jocelyn,” he said with barely a nod.

She swallowed what felt like a huge lump in her throat. “Hello, Cade. It…it’s good to see you again.”

He snorted. “Yeah?”

She was saved from replying when the cook wheeled dinner out from the kitchen. She could have kissed Gertie right then. Jocelyn took a deep breath, vowing not to let him get under her skin.

When her meal was served, she focused on her food. Jocelyn’s mouth watered. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen food like this. This particular meal was one of her favorites: barbequed beef brisket, string beans, white potatoes and cornbread. “Looks good, Gertie.” Jocelyn smiled at the older woman. “I can’t wait to dig in.”

Gertie grunted in acknowledgement, a hint of a smile twisting her thin lips.

“There’s no need for you to be so patronizing. A sophisticated palate like yours is probably used to caviar and lobster,” Cade drawled. “Too bad, you’ll have to eat what the rest of us little people do for the night.”

Jocelyn froze. She should have gone with her first instinct and ran out the door when she had the chance, but now that she’d taken her seat there was no way she could ease out of this situation gracefully. Finally finding her voice, she managed to reply with a smile she could barely maintain. “This looks just fine. Actually, I’m not a big lobster and caviar fan. I find this much more appealing.”

Cade leaned forward with a smirk twisting those sensual lips which he’d once used to kiss her all over. “My apologies, ma’am. I forgot you sophisticated New York types drink your meals.” He exaggerated his accent as he pronounced each word.

Someone at the table gasped.

“Cade,” someone else hissed.

Heat rushed to her cheeks and she was sure her face was bright red. This was going to be more difficult than she thought. Especially if he planned on throwing rude comments her way through the duration of dinner. She bit the inside of her cheek in order to focus on the physical pain rather than the gripping emotional ache shredding her soul.

The tension sizzling between them was so thick most of the others around the dinner table shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Jocelyn dared to look up to see Cade still staring at her as though he would rather see her in hell than to share a meal with her. He hated her, just as she’d known he would. It’s what she’d intended during their last encounter. She told herself this was something she needed to deal with. If only she could get through this night.

Trying to defuse the unease whirling around the dinner table she tried to laugh. But it sounded forced, even to her. “I’m sure some of them do, but I’ve been too busy focusing on my work to think about the eating habits of New Yorkers.” Quiet fell across the table as everyone focused on their meals. She caught her father’s gaze and he looked pissed. He looked as if he wanted to strangle Cade and he just might have if Jocelyn hadn’t shaken her head. She didn’t want any trouble, especially on her behalf. Cade was hurting and she was the cause. He was entitled to his pain.