“There you are!” His mother steps outside, saving us from jumping at each other’s throats; and we were pretty close. “Take this, dear,” she hands me a glass. “Let’s go and sit on the patio, the weather’s beautiful today.”
I follow her, and sit down next to her on the garden furniture. Ryan keeps his distance, standing a few paces away.
“No drink for me, then?” he asks, irritated.
“You know where the kitchen is.”
He scoffs impatiently, and disappears inside.
“Are you off work today?”
“I wish! I work every day, I just took a few hours off today to run some errands.”
“Wow, you must be so tired in the evenings.”
“I am,” I reply, taking a few sips of my wine. “But it’s all part of the game, isn’t it? Running your own business isn’t easy.”
“Of course not.”
“We close at seven,” I say, checking my watch. “Supposedly in an hour. I should probably head back.”
“Already?”
I stand up. “I’m sorry, but I have to close up.”
“You’re welcome to come back later, for dinner.”
“D-dinner?” I repeat, nearly choking on my last sip of wine.
“Why not?”
“I don’t think…”
“It would be our pleasure.”
“Just…someone’s waiting for me at home.”
“Bring them along, too.”
“I don’t know…” I say uncertainly. “I’ll be late, and…”
“We usually don’t eat before eight.”
I think about it for a few moments.
“O-okay,” I say, feeling as if I’ve just landed my self in a huge amount of trouble.
“We’ll wait for you,” she says, smiling kindly.
I’m already thinking of how I can make it up to Evan for forcing him to come along.
