Ever since she’d moved back, she’d been watching Ryder and me a little too closely. Looking for something that didn’t exist.
But my bestie was a dreamer.
A romantic of the highest sort.
A believer of white knights and twisted fates and fantasies that always came to fruition.
She sat back, a challenge written on her face. “So, are you telling me you don’t want a ride?”
I started wiping down the counter a little more aggressively than necessary. “The only thing I’m telling you is I’m never getting a ride on that, so I’d appreciate you not needling it.”
“Are we going to the fair?” Evelyn asked, far too excited by the prospect.
I choked over a laugh, and Paisley cracked up, and she reached over to wrap both arms around her and squeezed her tight. “Absolutely, in two months.”
“Yay.” Evelyn bounced on her knees, rocking the stool a bit.
“You be careful. We don’t need you to fall over and bonk your head. Your dad is liable to lose his whole mind if you end up in the urgent care.” Paisley winked at her, like she wouldn’t be losing it, too.
“I will be the carefulest,” Evelyn promised.
Blowing out a sigh, I tossed the rag into the bucket under the counter. “Alright, you two, what do you want to eat?”
“I’m going to need one of those burgers and fries.” Paisley moaned in anticipation. “I cannot handle how good they are.”
“Samesies,” Evelyn said, nodding. “We got all the same favorites.”
Affection gushed from Paisley.
Relentless and unending.
“So, I’m guessing we’re going to need two of my famous strawberry iced teas?” I asked.
“That’s right. And make it a double,” Evelyn piped up.
Paisley and I shared an amused glance before I said, “On it.”
I punched in their order then moved down the counter to prepare the iced teas, adding double the amount of muddled strawberries into the fresh brew before I passed them out.
“One for Evie-Love and one for Paisley-Cakes.”
Then I lowered my voice. “Who is still on my hit list.”
Mischief was clear as she sat back and canted her head. “So, if you’re not over there waiting for Ryder, I guess that means you’re open to dating someone else.”
Apprehension gusted, but I shrugged like it didn’t matter. “I’m too busy to date.”
Paisley’s green eyes widened in horror. “No one should ever be too busy for love.”
“That’s right. Love is really the most important, and we can’t get too busy for that,” Evelyn agreed.
“I’ve got plenty of people who love me.”
“But not the loved-up kind.” Suggestion glinted through her overexaggerated gaze.
“Loved-up only leaves you messed-up.”
There was no missing the questions that swirled through Paisley’s mind. No doubt, she was itching to ask me about Kayden’s father again. But what would I tell her?
One-night stands didn’t count for much, except that one had counted on changing my entire life.
Regret clutched me by the throat. Not over Kayden. He was the biggest surprise blessing I’d ever received. But it was what had driven me to it that still left a bitter scar cut down the middle of me.
“You’re only saying that because you haven’t gotten loved-up right. But don’t worry, your bestie is on the job.”
She swiveled on her stool, her gaze bouncing around the café, searching for the perfect target.
Thank God everyone there was either married or double my age, though I doubted much the latter would stop her.
Then her grin split to straight glee when she noticed Brad come striding through the double doors into the café.
Brad who was admittedly hot in a business-y, straight-edged kind of way.
He’d opened an investments firm two blocks up on Manchester, and he came in at least once a week to eat.
He’d also asked me out twice before, which of course I’d declined.
“Don’t you dare,” I hissed under my breath, reaching clear across the counter to try to grab her by the wrist.
I knew exactly what she was thinking.
With me hanging onto her left wrist, she swiveled and lifted her right into the air. “Hey, Brad!” she called.
The menace slanted me a smirk from the side.
I will kill you, I mouthed, but I was pretty sure she could feel the force that came out behind it.
“Don’t be so dramatic. You’ll thank me later,” she whispered back, trying to hide the words coming out of the corner of her mouth when Brad started our way.