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“Is there something wrong with dating me?” I question as Vance comes strolling into the waiting room, making a beeline for Selina. I sigh loudly, not wanting to deal with whatever is about to happen between those two. Selina has been desperately trying to get Vance to leave her alone, but my best friend is insistent, just like me. I keep trying to tell Selina to just go on a date with him, and then he’ll leave her alone, but she won’t listen, only solidifying my position that she’s still in love with him.
I tug on Audrey’s arm lightly, pulling her to a stop. “Hold on a moment. I want to watch Vance crash andburn with Selina.” Audrey raises her eyebrow as I motion toward Vance and Selina standing near the door and creep forward. I place a finger over my mouth to signal her to stay quiet. As we move closer, I pick up their conversation.
“For the last time, Vance. There’s no chance I’ll ever go on a date with you.” Selina crosses her arms over her chest and cocks her hip to the side.
“We used to be good together, Selina. What happened to the girl who loved me with all her heart?”
“She grew up.” Selina huffs before spinning on her heels and heading into the back room.
I chuckle as I wrap my arm around Vance’s shoulder. “How many times now has she turned you down?”
“I lost count, but I’m wearing her down. I can feel it.” Vance flashes me a smile before focusing on Audrey. “Did he finally convince you to go on a date with him?”
She dips her head slightly before answering. “Not exactly.”
I grimace. “It’s not a date, man, just a quiet night with the girls.”
“But you said…” I shove Vance in the shoulder before chiming in.
“I know what I said, but we’re going to have dinner together as a family.” I look directly into her eyes, attempting to convey how serious I am about the four of us becoming a family in the future.
“Sure, dinner with the girls sounds nice. When didyou want to get together?” Her cheeks flush a beautiful shade of light pink as she flashes me a shy smile.
I know I wanted a date with just the two of us, but for some reason, she’s hesitant to be alone with me. I’d like to believe it’s because she is falling for me, but I don’t want to get my hopes up. At this point, I just want to spend more time with her. Although we’ve been sharing nightly text messages and phone calls, I want to be close to her. I want to see her smile at my jokes or watch as her eyes light up when she finds something funny. And the only way to do that is by proposing a family dinner because that’s exactly what the four of us are.
We have been circling around each other ever since I got hurt. After spending so much time together, it’s impossible for Jade and me to go back to the way things were. Our house has felt empty the last few weeks without Audrey and Love stopping by to check in and see how we are doing or to have dinner with the two of us. There is no way Audrey is going to go for being alone with me, so I chose the next best thing—family dinner.
“How about tonight? He doesn’t have to be at work until the afternoon tomorrow, just in case you guys stay up chatting.” Vance flashes us both a bright smile before slapping me on the back. “I’ll be in the truck, waiting for you two.”
Audrey covers her laugh with a cough. “Is he always like that?”
“Unfortunately, yes. But I couldn’t ask for a betterfriend. He has been there for Jade and me since she was born.”
“It’s great to have people around when you need them.”
I run my hand down her arm, threading my fingers through hers and giving them a small squeeze. “Jade and I are here for both of you. We’re family now.”
Audrey’s cheeks turn rosy pink as the girls come crashing out of the studio. Jade speaks first. “Can Love and I have a sleepover?”
Audrey shakes her head as I squeeze her hand. “Sure thing. We’re having dinner together tonight anyway.” I flash her a bright smile. “Jade and I will head home to shower and get the grill started. We’ll see you both in about an hour.”
“Sounds good. I’m sure my mom wants to make a dessert or something to bring over. My mom says that my grandma always said to never visit someone empty-handed.”
“Your grandma was a smart lady.” I smile at her before wrapping my arm around her shoulder and giving her a hug. “So is your mom.”
“She already said she’d go on a date with you, Connor.” Love giggles as she tries to wiggle from my embrace.
“Not a date. A family dinner,” I reply, planting a kiss on the top of her head before taking a step back.
“Family dinner, huh?” Love smiles brightly at me before reaching for her mom’s other hand and pulling hertoward the door. “Jade, I’ll text you when we are on our way over.” She waves over her head before heading out the door with Audrey in tow.
“You two are up to something. Aren’t you, Squirt?” I wrap my arm around Jade’s shoulder, pulling her tightly to my side and leading us toward the exit.
“No, never.” Her voice raises slightly before she clears her throat. “Love and I just want to spend time together again. Is that too much to ask?”
I give her a kiss on the forehead as I push the door open. “It’s nice having someone else in the house besides the two of us, isn’t it?”
“I wouldn’t mind if we made it a little more permanent, either.” Jade pulls away and heads toward the truck, quickly spotting Vance sitting in the passenger seat. “Uncle Vance! Tell Dad to make a move on Audrey before she runs away.”
