AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I need an extra invitation to the gala,” he said as he walked past her.
“See, the idea is it’s a fundraiser, so you have to pay for the tickets,” she said, pushing him toward the kitchen.
She took out plates and two mugs while he settled on one of her two stools at the small counter.
“Obviously, I’ll pay for the ticket. I was just worried you were sold out.”
She poured some coffee from the to-go cup into their mugs.
“Luckily, I held on to a few for last-minute VIPs.”
“Or your brother’s dates?”
He handed her a huge burrito wrapped in the familiar blue-and-gold paper. When they were kids, their dad would get them loaded up on breakfast burritos then take them to church. He said they’d be so full they wouldn’t act up. Now it was a Sunday tradition for all of them. The twins attended a local college but always made it home Sunday mornings for burritos and church.
“Didn’t you already buy one for a date?”
Parker shrugged before taking a big bite of his own burrito, and she did the same, unable to resist the cheesy, eggy, spicy goodness. But the guilt she felt knowing Conner was hiding upstairs while she enjoyed an amazing breakfast was heavy, like a weight on her back.
She took a big gulp of coffee to help her wash down the too-big bite of food.
“Slow down, geez. Did you forget to eat dinner last night?”
She nodded and chewed.
“Had a long shift, and then I was too tired.”
“You eat like a guy,” he said as he bumped her shoulder with his.
“You eat like a child, using your sleeve instead of a napkin.”
They both laughed. Thank goodness he wasn’t mad at her still for checking on Conner after the fight at the hospital.
“So you have two dates to the gala?”
“Nah, the first girl got back together with her ex and got a second ticket, so now I need another ticket and a date.”
Hannah couldn’t help but laugh at his nonchalance.
“Try asking someone who’s actually emotionally available this time.”
“I just want a hot date who wants to have a good night. No strings attached.”
“Classic.”
“Who are you bringing? Is Tank your date?”
“I didn’t really think about it. I’ve been so busy planning things.” She was only halfway through her burrito and lying about who she planned to spend time with at the gala made her appetite disappear.
“You better think about it if you’re interested in him, because he’s definitely into you.”
She sat up straighter. “How would you know?”
“I ran into him yesterday when I was volunteering at the community center. He asked if you and Conner were some kind of an item, because Conner’s been stopping by the center.”
“Oh.”
Parker pinned her with his steel-blue eyes.
