Chapter 17 #2
I pull the foil-wrapped burger out of the bag and open it up to see bright green lettuce wrapped around two beef patties with cheese, bacon, and twenty more toppings. I flatten the foil on the desk and take the bacon off the burger.
“Gimme that.” Beau stands from the couch to grab the crispy bacon, putting it on his burger.
It’s kind of comical watching Beau eat anything, but especially a burger. His hands are so large that it makes it look like a mini slider.
I pass him a napkin and say, "You have ketchup on your face."
"Oh, thanks." His long legs stretch under the coffee table in front of him. "I heard you went to yoga yesterday. What the hell made you do that?"
I take a bite from my burger, the lettuce adding the fresh crisp that doesn't make you feel like you're eating nine thousand calories. "Riley invited me."
Beau stops mid-chew. A large piece of tomato falls from his burger, and his cheeks are filled like a chipmunk’s. "What?"
“You should try the burger with a wrap next time. I don’t feel as full, which is great because I have a lot of work to do.”
Beau snaps his fingers. “Pay attention. You, Riley, yoga. What’s that about?”
“When we were in Mexico, I bet her that she couldn’t jump off the cliff. I told her if she did, I’d go to one of her classes.”
“A bet? Like the ones you guys used to do when we were younger?”
I nod.
“Remember the bet you guys did during the summer festival?”
I grimace. “The cotton candy one?”
Riley bought some purple cotton candy, and I bet her that she couldn’t eat the entire thing in two minutes. She claimed her victory when she finished just before the two-minute mark.
Unfortunately for me, she threw up on me after we went on the swings that fly in a circle. The stain didn’t come off my shirt, and I had to throw it away.
“Tell me about this ‘bet’ then.” He uses his fingers to make quotation marks.
“Why did you say it like that?”
“Like what?”
“Like it wasn’t really a bet, and it was an excuse for something?”
“Well, was it a ‘bet?’” He does it again.
I drag my hand down my face and count to three. I love Beau to death, but sometimes the things that come out of his mouth make no sense.
“Yes? What are you confused about? I wanted her to jump off the cliff. We made a bet, and she won the bet.”
He takes a big bite from his burger before continuing. “Who won the bet and what’s the prize?”
I ball up the foil after finishing my burger and toss it in the trashcan next to the couch. “She won.”
“And?” He gestures his hand in a circle to continue.
“And now I’m taking her out for hot dogs.” I lean back in my chair, clasping my hands behind my head.
“Hot dogs?”
“Long story. We’re not getting hot dogs.”
“Alright, time for number two.” Beau rubs his hands together before picking up a second bag that I didn’t see.
“You’re having another burger?”
He looks at me. “August, I’m a tank and tanks need lots of fuel. So, when are you taking her out?”
I have no idea where I’m taking her. If I take her somewhere upscale, she could see it as a date, and I’d rather not scare her away.
But if I take her somewhere a bit too casual, I don’t want to come off as if I don’t care about where I take her.
We could go out of town where there’s more privacy.
If we stick around here, I won’t get that authentic Riley that I know and love.
Pulling out my phone, I search for places in the next town over. The first thing that comes to mind is her favorite cuisine: seafood. I’m not big on it, but if I need to sit through the smell of fish to be alone with her, I will.
As I scroll through the list, the name The Oyster Veil piques my interest. I set my phone down and shuffle through more papers.
“I’ll see if she’s free this weekend.”
“Look at you two kids, rekindling your friendship.” He winks. “Next thing you know, you two will stop being so stubborn and admit that you like each other already.”
“She’s my sister’s best friend,” I say, throwing a crumpled-up napkin at him. “She won the bet. It’s nothing more than that.”
“Okay, lover boy.”
A low vibration rumbles next to a stack of papers, my attention shifting to my phone, which is lit up with a text from Riley.
Riley: How’s it going?
Me: I’m currently watching Beau eat a burger like a snake eats an egg.
Riley: I meant with work.
Riley: But thanks for the lovely image.
Me: I’m staring at a pile of papers, hoping they’ll disappear.
Riley: If only you knew someone that can help make that happen. But what do I know?
Me: Is this why you texted me? No fun conversation?
Riley: I just wanted to check in.
Me: Aw, really?
Riley: You’ve ruined the moment.
Me: I can’t help it.
Riley: Of course you can’t.
Me: This doesn’t ruin our date night, does it?
Riley: IT’S NOT A DATE. It’s just dinner.
Me: Really? Even after the amazing kiss we had?
Riley: I’m regretting all of this.
Me: Let me take you out Saturday.
A bubble with three dots appears, disappears, and appears again. My palms are suddenly clammy, and I feel like a teenager asking my crush out. But I’m not asking her out, I’m fulfilling the winnings of the bet. That’s all.
Riley: I’m free after 4
Me: Cool. I’ll make reservations for 6 for our “not a date” dinner.
Riley: Can I at least know where we’re going so I know how to dress? Can I wear sweats?
Me: No, you can’t wear sweats unless you want us to get kicked out.
Riley: Okay, so where are we going?
Me: That’s for me to know and for you to not find out until we get there.
Riley:
Riley: Fine. I’ll see you Saturday.
Me: