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“Nice,” I say. “Kip likes to read. Mainly comics.”
“Saxon,” Catie scolds. “Stop it.”
Alice laughs. “We’ve been talking a lot about books today, haven’t we?” She smiles at him.
“Yeah,” he says. “I ordered that one you recommended… by William Gibson?”
“Neuromancer?”
“Yes. I liked the premise, and the reviews are great.”
As they continue to talk about the book, I study my brother, the mocking comment I was going to give dying away on my lips. Oh shit. Catie was right—he’s nervous. He really likes Alice.
Like me, he hasn’t been out with anyone for a while. About four years ago, he met a girl called Lesley, and he dated her for a couple of years, then out of the blue she announced she’d gotten a job in Australia. He might have gone with her if she’d discussed it with him first, but I know that hurt him, and they broke up. Over a year later, she came back to New Zealand for a few months, and I know he saw her while she was here. But once again she went back, and even though there’s nothing really stopping him from going with her, to my knowledge he didn’t consider it. I guess we all want to be with someone who wants to be with us above all else.
I look at Catie, thinking how much I love the way she looks at me, as if I’m the most wonderful guy she’s ever met. I want that for Kip. I don’t know whether Alice is that person—I don’t even know if they’ll see each other again after tonight—but one day he’ll meet the right girl, and I just hope he’s half as happy as I am with Catie.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Catie
I was very anxious about going to the restaurant, but once I realize that Alice is even more nervous than me, some of my tension dissipates. I don’t know if this is a one-night stand for the two of them, but if it is, I know what that feels like, and I want to help if I can.
I think Saxon feels the same, because after I scold him, he stops teasing Kip, and instead changes tack, keeping the conversation flowing and making Alice feel welcome and included. Kip begins to relax too, then, and the two of them are a delight to be with, both warm and funny, and genuinely nice when they’re not behaving like a couple of teenagers.
Saxon suggests we order a couple of platters, to my relief, and when they come the smell of the ribs, the sweetcorn, and the curly fries make my mouth water. Alice announces that ribs aren’t exactly the perfect food for a date, then promptly tucks into hers, seemingly unbothered that her fingers and mouth are covered in sauce. When she finishes eating, she laughs and tells Kip to look away as she wipes her lips, and I love the way his eyes light up as he smiles at her.
Eventually, the meal comes to an end. “Shall we?” Saxon says, and the four of us get to our feet. Kip and Saxon head over to pay, and Alice and I head outside.
“I didn’t offer to go halves,” she says suddenly. “Shit. Do you think he’ll mind?”
I laugh. “I very much doubt it.”
“Okay.” She blows out a breath, looking through the window at him.
“He likes you,” I say softly. “I can tell.”
She looks back at me and gives a shy smile. “You think?”
“Definitely.” Unable to curb my curiosity, I say, “Are you going back to his place now?”
She blushes. “Not sure. He mentioned going for a drink.”
“Well, good luck. That’s how Saxon and I met. We had a one-night stand in Auckland.” I look at my bump. “Hopefully you won’t have the same outcome.”
She gives a nervous laugh. “I don’t know if we’ll… you know. I’ve not done this before.”
“Well, whatever you decide, don’t worry about Kip. He’s one of the good guys.” I smile as I remember Huxley saying the same thing about Saxon in the bar.
“Thank you,” she says. “It was nice to meet you, and I appreciate you and Saxon alleviating my nerves.”
“Least we could do.”
The guys come out, laughing about something, and Saxon takes my hand. “Ready?”
“Yeah. ’Bye, Alice.”
“Nice to meet you.” They both wave goodbye and walk up the street, while the two of us head back to the car.
