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“You know you prefer beer, Brin,” Lance chimes in.
“You always get it at Lucky’s,” Sabrina adds.
I’m about to grab my things and storm away from this table, but instead, I look at the waiter. “I guess the table has spoken. I’ll have a beer instead.”
“Which one?” the waiter asks.
“She’ll have a Blue Moon and I will too,” Van says.
My hands squeeze into fists in my lap. “I didn’t know you were this bossy.”
“Just making sure you have a good time tonight.” He winks and faces Sabrina.
She orders wine, then she and Lance decide to split a bottle. I kick him under the table, and he straightens his back, giving me a mean look.
We order our meals too, and thankfully when Lance asks if our uncle Rome is here, we’re informed he’s not. The last thing I need is him breathing down my neck about what exactly the situation with this foursome is all about. He’d probably say he’s out of pasta and can only give us one helping, so we could Lady and the Tramp it.
“We’re sorry for intruding,” I say more to Sabrina because Van took it upon himself to move us over here without asking her.
“It’s okay,” she says.
“I’m taking her to dinner as a thank-you for taking over my shifts this weekend.”
“Oh?” My eyebrows rise into my hairline.
“Yeah, I forgot to tell you that I have to head out of town this weekend, but I’ll be back late Sunday.”
I look at Sabrina. “He doesn’t have to answer to me. We’re just roommates.”
I don’t know why I’m giving her the green light. If I really didn’t care if she went for Van, I wouldn’t even be sitting here right now.
Lance sparks a conversation with Sabrina about her commuting to the University of Anchorage, and when he finds out she’s studying hospitality, his face lights up.
“Lance’s family owns Glacier Point,” I inform Van.
“Shit. Really? That place is nice. I spent a few nights there when I first got to town. That’s why I had to find a place to rent. Glacier Point is hard on the bank account.”
Lance laughs as though he understands the struggle, but it’s not like he’s ever had to worry about money. The guy is a trust fund kid who will someday take over his family business that makes billions. He has one foot in our town and one in New York, but eventually, he’ll have choices to make. “If I’d have known, I would have cut you a deal.”
“Especially since he’s military,” I say.
That piece of information grabs Lance’s attention. “You are? We have discounts for veterans. Thank you for your service.”
Van nods. “Welcome.”
“Are you still in the military?” I ask, remembering I never found out the night we had that conversation.
“No,” he answers, but it’s clear to me that there’s more to the story.
I decide not to get nosy about which branch and where he’s located since I’m getting the vibe he doesn’t want to discuss it. I’m assuming Anchorage since there are a few bases there, which would make sense since he ended up in Lake Starlight.
“You couldn’t miss a better weekend. I have my twin cousins spending the night Friday, then we’re doing a camping retreat on Saturday night.”
“What?” Lance looks surprised as the waiter arrives with our drinks.
“For the Girl Scouts.” I pick up my beer and take a sip.
“How old are they?” Van asks.
