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“And Levi? Was he busted too?” she asks.
God, this woman likes the dirt.
“He was part of it, but I didn’t rat him out. I took the fall alone.”
She looks at me. “Wow. Just wow. You had to go to juvie and he got off scott free.”
I shrug a shoulder. “It’s all good. I remind him occasionally and let him know he owes me,” I laugh.
The server returns with our dinner and I instantly know I’ve made a mistake. Again. Durian and jackfruit curry over tofu is not at all what I’d hoped it would be.
Amalia, meanwhile, dives into her wild mushroom stew, probably the safest bet on the menu.
“How is it?” I ask, choking down a bite of something that tastes like a cross between old onions and dirty socks.
She closes her eyes and savors a bite. “Wow. This is great. Who knew veg food could be so good?” She takes another giant forkful and moans. “How’s yours?”
I force another small bite down. “So good,” I say, trying not to gag.
Thinking this vegetarian world might not be for me. All I really want right now is a bacon cheeseburger, medium rare. And a beer. Not a fancy microbrew but something basic, like Bud.
Amalia sets down her fork and pulls her phone out of her pocket. “I’m sorry. This is totally rude, but my phone won’t stop buzzing.”
“Everything okay?” I ask.
Her shoulders drop. “It’s my mother. She’s getting remarried and there’s all this drama around the guest list.”
“Go ahead,” I say. “Answer it. I don’t mind. You know my mother calls me all the time.”
She gets up from the table with a quiethello, and moves toward the ladies’ room for privacy. I watch her walk away, trying not to be a total creep, but I can’t help myself. She’s perfect.
And I’m not the only one who feels that way. Levi and Henry haven’t said much, but they don’t have to. I know those guys.
Amalia returns, sighing as she takes her seat.
“Everything good?”
She shrugs. “My mother is… a piece of work. She’s not exactly the most supportive person, and yet she wants me to be there for every aspect of her wedding.”
“Sounds complicated. Hey, I have to ask you a question.”
“Yes?” she says.
“Are you… disappointed I wasn’t able to seal the deal on the book with Levi for you? I mean, you did fine without me.”
She waves her hand at me. “It’s all good.”
“Next question. How… how did you find out Levi wrote it, Amalia? That question’s been driving me crazy.”
She looks around the restaurant, thinking about her answer. Shit, I hope she doesn’t feel she needs to lie to me.
“Okay. Remember the first time I saw you at the gym? When I was such a bitch to you?”
I remember that well. “Yup. Sure do.”
She blushes and it’s so damn cute. “I felt bad, so I was going to find you after I got dressed. Instead, I saw you leaving. I was curious, so I followed you to a pub.”
Holy shit. I have a regular little Inspector Clouseau on my hands. “Don’t tell me. You saw me with Levi and Henry, having beers.”
