A Long Time Coming (Cane Brothers, #3)(22)

Our drinks and salads are delivered at the same time, and as we set our napkins on our laps and pose our forks, I can’t help but wonder why he’s so defensive about my relationship with Lia. We’ve never, and I mean NEVER, given him a reason for concern. So why the fuck does he hate me so much?

“You know, I’ve always admired your friendship with Lia.” He looks up at me. “That’s all it’s ever been, right?”

Jesus . . .

Okay, so that’s why he hates me.

“Yes,” I say, looking him dead in the eyes. “She’s my best friend, that’s it, nothing more. You don’t need to worry about anything other than us just being friends.”

He slowly nods. “Well, if that’s the case, I’m supposed to have Lia all to myself this weekend, but I would love to go out on a double date with you.”

“Oh, that would be cool, but I’m not seeing anyone at the moment, so your double date would sort of be a third wheel situation.”

“I’m aware of your dating status. That’s why I have the perfect person for you.”

Errrr . . . what?

“You have someone for me to go out on a date with?”

Brian nods. “Yeah. Her name is Birdy. She is my buddy’s sister, and she’s been having a hard time finding a genuine guy. He was telling me about it last night, and I thought, you know, I might have the perfect person for her. And since, you know, you don’t have any romantic feelings for anyone else, this might be the perfect chance to meet someone new.”

Any romantic feelings for anyone else? That’s a specific way to say that.

I feel like this is a test.

This isn’t an act of goodwill or a way to get closer to me on a friend level. This is a test, and if I fail, he won’t believe me when I say nothing is going on between Lia and me. This is him trying to see if an ounce of romance exists between his fiancée and me.

“A double date.” I smile up at him. “Sounds like fun.”

Can you hear the lies dropping off my tongue? No one, and I mean NO ONE, likes to be set up, let alone on a double date where you get to be stared at the entire time by an established couple.

If you’re looking to spend your evening in horror, that’s the way to do it.

But I would do anything for Lia, so . . . it looks like I’m a double dater now.

“Great.” Brian beams, his rabid expression vanishing. “I’ll set everything up and have Lia relay the info to you.”

“Sounds great,” I say as I take a bite of my salad.

Go be friends with Brian.

Get to know him better.

Clear the air . . .

Yeah, Kelsey and Lottie can go to hell with their advice.





Lia: Uh, earth to Pickle, earth to Pickle, are you there?

Breaker: I don’t want to hear it.

Lia: A DOUBLE DATE?? Who are you and what did you do with my best friend?

Breaker: Maybe I left him back in New York.

Lia: Do I need to borrow your private jet to fly myself back and see if I can find him?

Breaker: Not sure the greatest SWAT team out there could find him at this point.

Lia: I can’t believe you said yes to a double date. Frankly, I’m a little disappointed in you. You don’t conform to social engagements.

Breaker: But Brian asked, and I felt obligated to say yes. Who knows, maybe this girl will be the love of my life.

Lia: Birdy and Breaker, it does have a nice ring to it.

Breaker: We clearly would need to name all of our children with B names.

Lia: Bertha, Bernard, and Barabbas . . . Auntie Lia is coming for those snuggles.

Breaker: Watch out, Barabbas is still wetting his pants when you squeeze him too hard.

Lia: I thought Birdy took him to the pediatrician to see what the squeeze pee was all about.

Breaker: Weak urethra, just going to have to give him time. Squeeze gently.

Lia: Barabbas is getting a head pat. Bertha and Bernard will be squeezed.

Breaker: Don’t you DARE treat Barabbas differently. He’s human like the rest of us.

Lia: You’re right . . . you’re right, that was wrong of me. I’ll just squeeze gently and wear old shoes.

Breaker: Now there’s a good aunt.

Lia: For the record, Birdy is a blonde, and blondes aren’t your favorite. So curb your displeasure.

Breaker: A blonde? Huh, maybe this one I’ll like.

Lia: Only time will tell. Seriously, though, you’re good with this? I can cancel with Brian.

Breaker: No, it’s good. Seriously. Might be nice. I haven’t been out on a date in . . . well, a long time.

Lia: I’ve never seen you out on a date. This is sort of exciting. I get to see how Breaker puts on the moves.

Breaker: Please don’t stare at me the entire time, watching my every move and smirking behind your napkin.

Lia: The urge to do just that is sitting very heavily on my chest because the joy I would reap from that is so overwhelming that my cup would be full for weeks. But I understand such behavior will cause you to sweat, and no one likes a sweaty pickle.

Breaker: Your concern for me feels so genuine. Thank you.

Lia: Anytime. So do you know what you’re going to wear?

Breaker: Can we not do this, please?

Lia: Umm, great suggestion, but no. Brian setting you up with Birdy is probably one of the best things to ever happen to me.