I looked around. Mom, Dad, Lily—all smiling, but no warmth in their eyes. Only calculation. I'd been a fool to expect anything else.
Lily walked behind my chair, leaning down to whisper to Jack. Her voice dripped with cloying sweetness.
"I didn't lie, did I? My sister's a college graduate. Never been in a relationship. Very... clean."
She emphasized that word like I was merchandise being inspected.
Jack's gaze raked over me. Nausea surged in my throat.
I pushed my chair back to leave.
Lily's hand clamped onto my shoulder like a vice.
"It's New Year's," she hissed. "Don't embarrass us." Her voice dropped lower. "Offend him and cost your brother-in-law his job? You'll regret it."
Gone was the sisterly warmth from minutes ago.
Mom chimed in. "Food's cooked. Eat first, talk later."
Trapped, I sank back into my seat.
The harassment started the second Jack sat down.
His foot slid across the floor, rubbing against my calf. I pulled back sharply. He followed, pressing closer.
Above the table, he chatted and laughed with my parents. Below it, his hand crept toward my thigh.
Rage and disgust exploded inside me.