Chapter 7
Rya~
We were at Shakes, and while most people would never come here this late at night, I always felt safe with Dalton, so that wasn’t an issue.
Plus, their fries were almost worth having to step over a dead body for.
Shakes was an old-fashioned diner with all the classics, but it was their fries that were their claim to late-night fame.
“I’d sell my soul for the secret to their fries,” I sighed, refusing to care about calories or cholesterol right now.
Dalton just chuckled. “And that’s why I love you, Rya. Most people would sell their souls for money, jewels, or power, but you? You just want good french fries.”
“Ah, but these are more than just good french fries,” I countered. “Their spectacular french fries.”
“You’re also buzzed as hell right now,” he pointed out, a smile on his face.
“While this may be true, that fact still doesn’t take away from this potato-y goodness,” I argued.
Just then, a pair of very noticeable blondes walked in, and I couldn’t help but let out a heavy sigh.
Now, while it wasn’t that I was necessarily jealous, alcohol had a way of making people get all up in their feelings, and Koen’s friend’s words were still dancing in the back of my head, which I hated because I did not enjoy playing the victim, no matter what I was feeling.
“You know, if I gain enough weight, then my health insurance will cover all those new weight loss drugs,” I remarked before popping another french fry in my mouth. “It might be worth looking into.”
Dalton’s dark gaze shot my way, and I already knew what he was going to say before he even said it. That was the thing about knowing someone as well as I knew Dalton; there was no hiding from him. Granted, that went both ways, but it could be uncomfortable as hell some days.
“Except that the side effects aren’t worth the risk,” he replied, his voice in reprimand mode.
“Have you ever paid any attention to those damn commercials? Eat more fucking kale if you want to lose weight, Rya. You’re also more than welcome to use my gym whenever you want.
I mean, if you’re going to have a key to my apartment, you might as well use it. ”
“Yeah, because that’s just what we need,” I snorted. “Me walking in on you entertaining someone.”
“There are worst things in life,” he said right before plucking a fry from my plate.
Now, the thing about Dalton was that he wasn’t afraid of the elephant in the room, which had a way of making people very uncomfortable.
He’d been raised by his grandparents because both of his parents had been addicted to drugs, and even though his grandparents had tried their best, they hadn’t shielded him from the harsh realities of life, and so Dalton was very straightforward.
Very.
Before I could comment on that, the two blondes sat at the counter, probably waiting for their order, but that didn’t stop them from shooting Dalton sly glances, making my point about beautiful people versus the not-so-beautiful.
I mean, he was obviously sharing a meal with me, but they were still trying to flirt with him, never imagining that I could possibly be his girlfriend.
Ignoring the two blondes, I said, “Besides, I’ve tried the exercising, and it just doesn’t work.”
Dalton grinned at me from across the table, and he really was too good-looking for his own good. “Some women were born to have curves, and if you ask me, they’re a lot sexier than a hip bone digging into my pelvis because the chick eats nothing but tofu.”
“Most guys would disagree with you,” I pointed out.
“Yeah, and most guys are fucking stupid,” he replied seriously. “But if you compare the type of women that they date to the type of women that they marry, you’ll see a noticeable difference.”
My eyes narrowed at him as he plucked another fry from my plate. “Yet, you seem to not have a type. I’ve seen you date almost every variety of woman under the sun, but you’re still single. What’s up with that?”
“The women that I date aren’t looking for anything serious,” he explained. “Trust me, I make sure of it.”
“If I didn’t know you better, I’d accuse you of being a woman-hater,” I said as I slapped his hand away from my plate again.
Dalton just let out a low chuckle. “Not me, babes. I absolutely love women. All of them.”
That got my lips to twitch. “You’re such a feminist.”
The turd winked at me. “I really am.”
Just then, we heard the clitter-clatter of high heels, and when we both looked over, the blondes from the counter were standing next to our table. They both had their phones in their hands, looking like they wanted to get a picture of Dalton, and I could hardly blame them.
“Sorry to interrupt you with your sister and all, but we were hoping that we could get a picture of you for our social media followers,” the taller one said. “We’re influencers, and your ink is incredible.”
“And what is it that you influence?” Dalton asked, and I almost winced because I recognized that tone.
“Oh...you know,” she hedged.
“No, I don’t know,” he replied coolly. “If it’s not animals or tattoos, I stay away from internet bullshit. Also, she’s not my sister.”
“Oh,” the second blonde tittered. “We just...assumed...”
“Well, keep assuming whatever you want, but please do it from back over there,” Dalton replied rudely, but I knew better than to try to rein him in.
“Well, you don’t have to be an asshole about it,” the first blonde huffed.
“Actually, I do,” he fired back. “Otherwise, people like you won’t take the hint.”
I watched as they stormed back to the counter, and when I looked back over at Dalton, he didn’t look remorseful at all. “What?”
“You know, there’s a fine line between brooding and being a jerk, Dalton.”
“I’m only a jerk to people who are rude,” he countered. “And those two were rude.”
“Dalton-”
“Even if you hadn’t been here, I’m eating, minding my own damn business, and so they should have been observant enough to respect that I wasn’t here for fucking autographs or selfies.”
I leaned back against the booth. “Being an influencer is a completely acceptable way to make a living these days.”
“Which is fine,” he replied evenly. “But since I’m not an influencer, no one has any business wanting to take pictures of me for clout or whatever it is that those people do. Plus, you and I both know that it was rude as fuck for them to assume that you’re my sister.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time,” I pointed out as I went back to eating my bacon burger and spectacular fries.
“And I respond the same way each and every time,” he reminded me.
I let out a deep sigh. “I think they just ruined my buzz.”
Dalton just grinned. “Which will save you from a hangover in the morning.”
“You can also drive me back to the bar to get my car,” I suggested.
His grin just widened. “Are you sure you want to go back to get your car, or are you hoping that Casanova might still be there?”
“We’ve already talked about that,” I drawled out, looking at him pointedly. “He’s a Wilder, and if that doesn’t put the brakes on any future possibilities, then I don’t know what does.”
“If the guy is interested in you and is decent enough, his last name shouldn’t matter,” he replied as he reached over, turned my plate around, giving himself easier access to my fries.
“You know, you can ask the waitress for another order of fries.”
“Hey, you were the one talking about weight-loss drugs earlier,” he huffed. “I’m just trying to help you lose weight naturally.”
“How noble of you,” I laughed.
“Well, I am your best friend for a reason,” he replied shamelessly.
Seeing the writing on the wall, I flagged down our waitress to ask for another order of fries, and I just laughed again when Dalton offered to pay for dinner, something that he always did anyway.
While he wasn’t exactly swimming in hundred-dollar bills, his two jobs earned him a lot more than just the one job that I had, so he was always willing to treat, though he didn’t need to.
When we finally finished eating, I was sober enough for Dalton to drive me back to the bar, and though the parking lot was nearly empty, I didn’t want to think about the few cars that still remained.
Even though I was a realist, I wasn’t immune to fanciful thoughts of Koen Wilder being interested in me.
However, before I could mentally chase that impossible dream, my phone chimed as I opened the car door, and when I pulled it out of my pocket, it was to see Leandra’s name, and she had texted me to let me know that she was spending the night with Joseph and that all was well, and I could only hope that she still felt that way in the morning.