Excellent chapter, Beth! I wasn't anticipating Ellie and Jay being immediate friends, but I didn't expect Jay to be so antagonistic towards Ellie. I wonder if he has some anti-Kryptonian prejudice that Kaylie doesn't know about? And what's up with his inflamed corneas? Has he been wearing colored contacts while in disguise, or has he been exposed to some toxic chemicals lately? Maybe it's chemicals; that might explain the wonky heartbeat, too.
Your writing is full of subtle and unexpected humor, but these two examples had me laughing out loud.
“There’s a lot we have to discuss,” I agreed. “We’re merging lives here, there’s got to be considerations! Whose furniture are we going to keep, and how are we going to deal with expenses. And,” I continued with mounting panic, “I drink skim milk, but you drink 2%. It’d be stupid to buy two types of milk, but who’s going to switch milks? I like skim. But you probably like 2%. It’d be completely unfair to expect one person to switch to a milk they don’t like just to cut down on grocery costs!”
“And we’re also going to have to fight over who gets what side of the secret compartment,” Jon added with a smile.
How many couples have both of those issues at the same time?
And this:
“You know, I can think of another thing that almost married people do.”
“Oh, really?” I asked innocently. “Care to tell me what that might be?”
“I’d rather show you.”
“Wait,” I exclaimed before he could kiss me. “My brother’s going to be home any second. We can’t let him catch us making out again.”
“Luckily, I happen to know a place completely free of sibling infestation,” Jon replied with a grin.
How funny! That means that wherever they're going, Ellie isn't likely to just drop in on them, so it probably won't be his apartment. And "sibling infestation?" Boy, I wish I'd come up with that phrase!
It's sad and more than a little poignant that Jon is flashing back on his grandfather's illness (maybe his last illness?). If that's foreshadowing, it's totally excellent, because you haven't hinted at the person whose apparent demise will impact our newest favorite couple. Or, maybe you're just showing us Jon's insecurities. Either way, it's a hint of something serious to come, something which will disrupt Jon and Kaylie's relationship and put intense pressure on them. Can't wait to learn what it is.
I'm a little surprised, though, that these two virgins are so casually talking about spending the night together. Whether by plan or happenstance, they have the opportunity to make their first intimate partners their only intimate partners. Maybe they're just talking about spending the night in the same place, not "smokin' the sheets" or something. Hope so, anyway.
And I'm also concerned about Agent Watson/Stewart/Sykes/Collins/(insert other alias here) and his abrupt response to Kaylie's engagement announcement. Will Kaylie tell her dad about Jon's "other job," or will Jay spill the beans? Or will everyone decide that having Jay in on the secret is dangerous enough for everyone?
Oh, one more thing. Lucy's hint about the tabloid reporter who caught Lois and Superman together was truly devilish. Now Ellie and Jon have more ammunition to defend themselves against their parents if they need it.
So where's the next chapter?
