AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Gin and tonic,” Sonia said firmly.
Ian and Diana exchanged confused looks. “I thought you don’t drink,” Ian said.
“Yeah, I can’t count all the lectures you gave me in college about the terrible, debilitating effects of alcohol,” said Diana. “I can say them along with you at this point.”
Sonia shrugged. “I’m allowed to change my mind.”
“We’ve also got a great mocktail menu…” the server began.
Sonia gave her a stony look. “I’m all set.”
Brendan tried to catch her eye, but couldn’t. “I’ll have an old-fashioned,” he told the server. “And a basket of fries for my brother, who won’t order any but wants me to.”
Ian grinned. “Score.”
The server seemed to take them in for the first time. “Wow! Twins!”
“These crazy fools are getting married tomorrow.” Brendan waved his hand at Ian and Diana. “Put everything on my tab, okay?”
The server offered a perky smile. “Will do! Congratulations to you both. Hope you share the fries.”
“Everyone can have some,” Ian said generously, as the server hurried off. “So what have you guys been up to?” He aimed a knowing grin at Brendan and Sonia.
Sonia picked up a glass of water and took a swallow.
“You first, sunshine,” Brendan asked lightly.
Diana snorted with laughter, almost spraying wine across the table. “No! This is too much. You did not just call her that.”
“I definitely just called her that.”
“Sunshine,huh?” Ian grinned evilly.
“Oh, please,” Sonia scoffed. Her cheeks were bright red, and Brendan wondered if he’d made a mistake with the pet name. But what the hell was going on? She’d agreed to tell Ian and Di the truth about them. She’d looked so happy in the hall. If they could just duck out and talk for a minute—
“Tell us about the dance company,” Diana said, obviously wanting to rescue Sonia from embarrassment.
Sonia glanced at Brendan and took a deep breath. “It looks like it might survive another year.”
“Hell, that’s fantastic.” Ian raised his beer. “We knew you’d get the money.”
“Actually…” Sonia’s chest rose and fell. She moved her foot away from Brendan’s, and he felt a stab in his heart. “Your brother got it for me. Though I’m not trusting it’ll actually happen until the donation comes through.”
“Brendan?” Diana stared from him to Sonia. “You got involved? Sonia, youlethim get involved?”
“All I did was make the connection,” Brendan assured her. “It’s Sonia’s incredible work that got the donor interested.”
“Damn,” Ian marveled.
“I was desperate.” Sonia took another gulp of water. “And Brendan stepped in. Also, he went ahead without asking me.”
“Are you mad about that?” Brendan raised his eyebrows.
She let out a breath. “Not exactly. Just…”
When she finally looked at him, her cheeks were flushed. Her pupils were dilated, fixed on his. She seemed to be pleading, yet her shoulders were hunched, and her body was pulled back in the small space of the booth.
What was she afraid of? Owing him? Depending on him? Needing him?
