AllFreeNovel
Share Us
No, Lainey. You just think I’ll like them because you do. There’s no possible way anyone could like something different than you.
That’s what I want to say but instead, I spare her feelings and the inevitable fight and say, “Introduce me, then.”
Get this over with.
Lainey jumps to it, literally, before taking my hand and throwing me in the deep end.
“Riley, this is McKenzie…” She gestures to the taller of the two girls with wild, curly dark hair and thick-rimmed glasses. “Piper.” The other girl with fiery red hair and a face full of freckles. “Jax and Will.” Obviously twins and from the reserved greeting, the only people of the lot I might actually like to hang out with. “And Brendan.”
“Hey,” he says.
I have to admit, Brendan’s light brown hair and eyes to match on one of the most athletic bodies I’ve ever seen have me rethinking kicking him out along with the others but there’s an air about him. It’s in his voice and the way he carries himself. A cockiness simmering just under the surface that screams insecurity.
Exactlymy type.
Not anymore. Daniel’s my type now. I don’t need this guy or any of his friends.
“It’s nice to meet you all,” I say hoping I can nice my way out of this.
Then McKenzie keeps things going. “We were telling Lainey about the night hike tomorrow night. We’d love for you to come along.”
The group murmurs their agreement.
Exactly how am I supposed to refuse? Upset my sister and insult the people she dragged in here.
“Sure.” It’s only one night. Granted, the last free night I’ll have in a while as I officially start my job at The Parlor the day after. Why not spend it killing my feet before I have to stand on them for hours on end?
“Great!” McKenzie sounds genuinely excited and I feel bad not being able to reciprocate.
I wouldn’t have to if my sister didn’t take it upon herself to set me up with people I’d never choose to be friends with if I had the choice.
“We should go,” Will says standing up and his brother after him.
“It was nice meeting you, Riley,” Piper says.
“Super nice.”
McKenzie forces the air from my lungs hugging me.
I don’t remember agreeing to this but okay. After she lets me go, she and Piper make their way out the door. Will and Jax follow them giving me tandem nods accompanied by sweet smiles. And last but not least, Brendan goes out of his way to tower over me before saying, in an overly suggestive way, “Goodnight, Riley.”
“Night,” I say, suggesting nothing but the way to the door.
“Aren’t they great?” Lainey says after they’re gone.
“For you,” I mutter being less than gentle with the frying pan on the stovetop to make extra sure she doesn’t hear me.
“And Brendan is just…” Lainey clutches her shirt over her heart, swooning.
“He’s something.”
“He likes you.”
I don’t encourage her with a response throwing myself into preparing our meal. Either Lainey takes the hint or gets distracted by something else but she lets it go. I finish cooking in peace.
“Are you excited to start your job?” She asks when we’re a few bites into our meal.
“I’m excited to be on my own.”
