Dating and Dragons (Dungeons and Drama, #2) (76)

I come around to the other side of the booth and pull her into a hug. “You’re the best.”

She has the audacity to laugh. “And you have too low of expectations. Though I’m going to need details now. One of the biggest benefits of best friendhood is getting all the gossip about people the other person dates.”

My heart clenches. “Best friends?”

“Is that too much, too soon?”

“Definitely not.” I sit back on my side. “Although this is going to be a one-sided conversation, because I don’t want to hear anything about Andrew. How mad do you think he’d be if we abandoned him in this shopping center so we can go do fun best friend things?”

“We’re already doing best friend things. Speaking of which…” Kashvi takes a sip of her iced coffee and puts her chin on her hand with a devilish smile. “You never told me if Logan is a good kisser.”

I can’t help the way I grin and collapse into myself. One thought back to the way he spun me and pressed me against the wall in the shed and I’m a ball of goo with very pink cheeks.

She whistles. “Oh, it’s like that, huh? Then if things go well with Andrew, I might need Logan to share a few tips.”

“I know the rules didn’t work out for us before, but I’m instituting a new best friend rule: Thou shall never—ever—talk about kissing my brother.”





Chapter Thirty





Because I’m a nice sister and friend, I wait in the car to give Kashvi and Andrew some time to say goodbye. When Andrew sits down in the passenger seat, his smile tells me that this won’t be the last time he sees her.

“You and Kashvi, huh?” I ask, and pull out of the parking lot.

“We’re going to hang out again in a few days. And she said she’d come see me after practice too. It turns out she’s really into soccer.”

That’s true. I remember her saying the same thing to me. I still don’t love the idea of him dating Kashvi—it’s hard not to see Andrew as my annoying little brother—but they do have some similar interests and it’s not my place to dictate who she spends time with. Although, for my sanity, I’m going to imagine them as completely platonic friends.

“Sorry if I ruined this morning,” I tell him.

“Actually, I think you showing up like that worked out well. Now that you know about us, she seems more relaxed. So thanks, I guess.”

“You’re welcome. But you better not do anything stupid and hurt her.”

“I won’t.” He slouches down in his seat. “So if you weren’t talking her out of dating me, what was so important that you had to kick me out of the coffee shop?”

“Nothing.”

He sits up. “Oh no, if your voice sounds like that, then I need to hear this. Unless it’s some weird girl thing I don’t want to know about.”

“It’s not a weird girl thing,” I say, rolling my eyes. “I needed to talk to her about Logan.”

“Ugh, him.”

“You don’t get to say any of that now. I’m not going to be cool with your relationship just to have you crap on mine at every turn.” Assuming Logan and I still have a relationship after the conversation this afternoon at D&D.

“Kashvi is already your friend and I’m your brother. There’s nothing to get over—we’re both awesome. But that dude—”

“Logan.”

“Logan is…” He shakes his head. “I don’t like guys looking at my sister like that. You can’t trust guys.”

I laugh. “So I should tell Kashvi to stay away from you since you’re a guy?”

“You know what I mean. I don’t count.”

“Uh, yeah you do. And I heard about that little conversation you had with Logan. That was over-the-top.”

“It’ll keep him on his toes.”

“Oh my god, Andrew.” I shake my head and turn onto our street. I don’t want to tell him this, but it’s actually sweet that he’s being so protective. “How about we agree to be generally supportive of each other? Kashvi is amazing, so—if you’re lucky enough to have her attention—I’m happy for you. I can’t think of a better person for you to be with.”

“Thanks. And I guess Logan isn’t the worst guy I’ve ever met.”

“So kind of you.” I pull into our driveway and turn to him. “I appreciate you being worried about me. It was unnecessary and a little embarrassing, but it means a lot that you care.” I squeeze his hand.

He pulls away and ducks his head in embarrassment. We don’t share emotions with each other. “Any brother would do it. It’s part of the code.”

“Maybe. But I’m glad you’re my brother.”

He gags dramatically. “Ugh, stop, I’m going to puke.”

I get out of the car, laughing. His words only egg me on more. “But I loooove you. And now we get to spend all our time together. We can go on double dates, talk about our feelings, share our hopes and dreams. We can play couples pickleball together!” I clap my hands. “It’ll be so fun!”

He glares over the top of the car at me. “You’re describing my nightmares, but you aren’t talking me out of dating Kashvi.”