14. Fourteen #2
I ordered the steak tacos to go with my drink and smiled when both Hayley and Lucy ordered the macaroni and cheese.
They seemed to be in their own little world, and I left them to do …
whatever it was they were doing. I wanted Lucy to find new friends.
I hadn’t seriously considered Hayley, even though I really liked her.
I’d assumed she would be too staid for Lucy.
In hindsight, that had been a mistake. Lucy needed somebody bossy in her life, and Hayley might just fit the bill.
Seemingly reading my mind, Bella poked my knee under the table. “If you’re not careful, you’re going to be the only one who doesn’t have a significant other.”
I laughed because it seemed to be expected, but the unanticipated pang near my heart threw me. I hadn’t believed I wanted a significant other — it was too much to focus on right now, what with moving to a new city and all — but what if I’d been wrong?
“I wouldn’t worry about Wylie being single,” Bree said on a laugh. She had that mischievous smile on her face that meant trouble, and I braced myself. “Word on the street is that she is dating somebody.”
I snorted, not caring how indelicate it sounded. “Um … that’s not true.”
“So, that wasn’t you on a date last night at The Olde Pink House?” Bree looked innocent enough — she was just one friend being curious about another friend’s life — but I knew better.
I also knew that I didn’t want Lucy to know who I had been spending time with. I darted a worried look toward my sister, but she was completely lost in her conversation with Hayley, who seemed to be telling some sort of story about a runaway cow and a field of potatoes.
Bree followed my gaze and then held out her hands in apology. “Sorry,” she said in a low voice. “I assumed it was just a secret from us.”
“It’s not a secret,” I countered. “Also, it wasn’t a date. We just … I …” She obviously knew who I’d gone to The Olde Pink House with, and they were assuming it was something it wasn’t. “We’re just friends,” I said finally. “Or, I guess it’s fair to say that we’re trying to be friends.”
Bree leaned back in her chair, and it was hard to read her expression. “Do you always go to romantic places with your friends?”
“Yeah, I don’t think The Olde Pink House is romantic,” I countered.
“We went there because I’ve always wanted to go, and you have to get reservations weeks in advance.
Although somehow he got them in one day.
I didn’t ask how he managed that.” I was careful not to mention Huxley’s name.
That for sure would get my sister’s attention.
“How is a big pink house not romantic?” Bree challenged.
“It’s just not.” I shrugged. “I was more interested in the bar downstairs. Do you know it’s haunted?”
“Actually, we’ve been there,” Bree replied. “The bar and the restaurant.”
“Did you see the ghost?”
“No.” She shook her head. “Brody isn’t nearly as keen on seeing ghosts as other people.” She cast a pointed look at Bella. “If he thought ghosts were real, even for a second, he would have us out of Savannah and someplace less … ghosty. Is that a word?”
“I think it’s fine,” Bella replied, patting her wrist. “As for the ghost, Nathan and I have been there three times now, and we haven’t seen it. We’re still hopeful, though.” She held up her fingers, which were crossed.
“I’m going to go on a ghost tour at some point,” I said. “I’m not going to be happy if I don’t at least see a ghost.”
“Did your date last night see a ghost?” Bree asked.
I was grateful she didn’t say his name, but her attitude was starting to grate. “No, he did not. I told you that we’re friends and nothing more.” I didn’t snap at her, but part of me wanted to. “We’re trying to figure out a way to reclaim what we lost when our mothers broke up.”
“Yeah?” Bree tilted her head. “I thought you guys hated each other as kids. Why would you want to reclaim that?”
“We didn’t hate each other.” Immediately, I had to rethink that. “I mean, he wasn’t all that fond of me. He thought I was a geek.”
“Aren’t you still a geek?” Bree held up her hands in supplication. “I happen to love a good geek. I’m not trying to be difficult or anything. I’m just curious.”
She wasn’t wrong. Still, I struggled with how to respond. “I am, but I guess he’s become more tolerant of geeks.”
“Uh-huh.” Bree’s smirk left me feeling uneasy. “Here’s the thing,” she said, leaning forward. “I happen to think there’s a spark between the two of you.”
I burst out laughing, which had her lips curving down. “There’s no spark,” I assured her. “It’s all friendship, nothing more.”
She didn’t look convinced. “There’s a spark. Right?” She elbowed Bella in the side.
“Oh.” Bella ruefully rubbed the place Bree had hit and seemed to consider it. “I guess maybe there’s a spark.” She clearly didn’t like being put on the spot. “They could just be friends, though, too.”
“Way to take a position,” Bree said dryly.
“Hey, I just don’t want her to feel uncomfortable,” Bella shot back loudly.
I darted a look toward Lucy and Hayley, but they were in their own little world, so I allowed myself to breathe again.
“They should be allowed to figure things out themselves,” Bella insisted, lowering her voice. She was glaring at Bree. “They had a traumatic event as children —”
“We were actually both adults when the falling out happened,” I clarified. “In our early 20s, and by then we were hardly seeing each other at all except at the biggest conventions during our summer breaks from college, but we were adults.”
Bella waved off the statement. “They were young, and they considered each other’s mother as family. You can’t ask them to jump straight into romance when there’s all that other stuff to sort through.”
Bree didn’t look convinced. “Says who?”
“Says anybody with common sense.” Bella fixed her eyes on me. “We’re not going to give you a hard time about this.”
“Speak for yourself,” Bree grumbled.
“We’re not,” Bella insisted. “Just know, if you need to talk, we’re here.”
I managed a smile, but it took effort. “Thanks. There’s nothing to talk about, though.”
I was determined to mean it.