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“I’m taking her on a date.” Aubrey’s eyes went wide, and her cheeks pinked a little. I love it when she does that.
“Is that so?” Mom said. I just smiled and nodded my head yes. “Does your father know?”
I shook my head no and laughed. “Not yet.”
“Well, have fun and be safe.” She kept eyeing me, and when Aubrey walked out of the kitchen before me, my mom mouthed, ‘Be a gentleman, please.’ I walked up and kissed the top of her head.
“Always am,” I whispered.
A few hours later, I ran to the bookstore during lunch. I had a mission to complete, and this was the first part. Dan was the perfect man to help me plan the start of the perfect date.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Aubrey
Link was gone during lunch, but The Music Bar was busy, so I just ate at the counter when I wasn’t helping a customer. I helped a few people pick out and purchase some records and even got a few new signups for my class.
I went back to August’s office when I had a lull in customers. The door was open. I politely knocked so I didn’t just barge in. “Hey, you got a sec?”
He looked up from his papers. His glasses sat at the tip of his nose, just like my mom does when reading. “Of course, sweetie, come on in and have a seat. What’s on your mind?”
I sat in the chair across from him, fidgeting with my fingers. “Well, I know it’s only January, but I talked with my parents and told them I would be staying here for a while. I also let Callie know, so they will hire someone at the restaurant until I return. I feel like I need more time with you all. I love it here. Something feels unfinished, as funny as that sounds. I told my parents I would probably stay until at least my birthday if that’s—”
He cut me off, and his eyes lit up. “Oh my god! When is your birthday? We need to do something fun.”
I laughed. “Well, that’s kind of why I’m telling you. My parents want to make the trip down here with my sister and friends to throw me a birthday party. I know you all want to meet and talk and all that jazz, so I figured this would be a good opportunity. The issue is that my birthday isn’t till March second. Is it okay for me to stay that long? I can get out of your hair and sleep at—”
He cut me off again. He walked around his desk and embraced me. “You will do no such thing. Our home is yours, and please tell your parents we have a room for them if they want. Also, your friends and sister are welcome to stay in your room as well. We can get some air mattresses, and I’m sure Link can make room too. We can make it a whole reunion. We have the room.”
I smiled up at him, and he let me go. “Thanks! I’ll see what they say… Oh, and my sister will be flying from Canada to Nashville for a few days next week before returning to school. If it’s okay that she stays, I will pick her up at the airport and bring her to the house.”
“Aubrey, you do not need permission to have guests in our home, and you can come and go as you please. Just make us aware so that we make enough food.”
“Thank you!” I smiled and hugged him again.
He looked nervous. “Aubrey, I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve started telling people around town about you. I’ve kept it simple, just saying I didn’t know about you, and now you’re here. I hope that’s okay.”
I started to tear up a little. “That’s perfect, actually. I was worried we were going to get questions.”
“I’ve gotten a few questions, so I figured it was time to share.”
I heard the jingle of the bells on the door. “Of course, I don’t mind at all. I’ll be back.” Then I headed back to the front.
Ugh, just perfect.
“Oh hey. Kaylee, right?” I said as I walked up to the counter.
“Very funny,” Kayla said as she rolled her eyes. “Is my Linky here? I wanted to give him this food that I made for him.”
My brows went up as I snickered at her. “I don’t know who your Linky is, but if you meant Link, then no. He’s out on lunch already.” I didn’t bother telling her he was doing things for our date tonight. I’m sure I’d just be asking for trouble if I did. “If you want to leave it for him, I can make sure he gets it.”
“Oh, no need. I will come back when Link gets out. I will just have him over for dinner, I guess.”
She said it so nonchalantly, and I realized I had to tell her. If I didn’t, she would come back.
“He’s busy tonight.”
She looked at me, almost stunned. “And how would you know? Aren’t you like his sister or something? Does he clear all his plans with you?” She had a condescending smile, and I wanted to slap it off her damn face.
