Thirty

~ Isobelle ~

"How's the steak?" Lucas asked as the tasty meaty morsel slid down my gullet. "Delicious," I replied, licking the smoky marinade from my fingers. "My dad is going to love you." I realized what I said as soon as the words slipped out. I hope he will. Lucas grinned, then flipped another steak on the grill. The yellow flames licked up the sides, the juices falling onto the white-hot coals with a hiss. Orange embers danced amidst the curling smoke, drifting away like fireflies.

"Ten bucks says the boys will smell this from miles away and come running home for supper," he mentioned, listening for any movement in the trees. I glanced around us just in case he was right. "Is it another quiet night?" I inquired, hoping that it was as dull as dishwater out there.

Lucas's brows furrowed as he took a seat on the log beside me. "Stop worrying. They'll be fine," he assured me. That's not what I asked. "Don't do that," I pointed out his error. "Please don't deflect my question. I speci