“Sorry about that,” Dani said, leaning against a wall as she glanced about the open space. There were kids clustered in groups around the room doing various activities or just hanging out and talking. I couldn’t wait to get the guys over here. More than one of the kids asked to play street hockey, and I was already calculating all the gear I could round up.
“The kids love you,” I said.
“I like to believe they think I’m just a cool friend to hang out with and not an old adult.”
I chuckled. “If you’re old, then I’m old because we’re the same age. And I’m definitely not old.”
She barked out a laugh. “No one who gets the zoomies can be classified as old.”
I grinned. “See, we’re young and cool and not sus at all.”
“Sus?”
“Trying to keep up with their words.”
She shook her head at my antics, and I loved it. Fuck, she was beautiful. I wanted to kiss her, but I held myself in check. There’d be plenty of time for that tonight and hopefully tomorrow morning.
“So, how much longer are you here? We still having dinner with your brother, right?”
She groaned. “You’re right. Why did I agree to that, again?”
“Don’t you like hanging out with him?”
“Of course, but you’ve been gone all week, and I was thinking...”
“Dani, there are children present,” I teased, chuckling when she quickly looked around. No one was close enough to hear her, but I still couldn’t help myself. I loved the pink color in her cheeks.
“I wasn’t thinking likethat. Okay, maybe I was, but I just—” She stopped herself. “You are very annoying.”
“It’s okay if you want me, the feeling is very mutual.” I wiggled my brows at her for good measure and she rolled her eyes.
“Stop it. And we can head out now.”
“So antsy.”
“I will uninvite you from dinner and sleep by myself if you don’t stop.”
“We both know that you don’t want that, so stop being grumbly and let’s go.” I bit back my chuckle when, instead of responding, she just made her way through the facility and said her goodbyes to everyone.
Maybe I could convince her to come home with me for a bit before we had to meet up with her brother.
“Here they are. Too busy making out to arrive on time,” her brother said a bit too loudly when we walked into the restaurant a few hours later.
“What? Ugh, shut up,” Dani muttered, smacking his arm. “Great to see you again, Rick.” She turned to hug her brother’s boyfriend.
“What the hell? I’m family. Hug me first.” Her brother’s grin belied his outrage.
“You haven’t earned a hug,” she shot back with a smirk.
Clearly, sarcasm ran deep in this family.
“Umm, your table is ready,” the hostess said.
“After you, mean sister. I need to chat with your new boyfriend.”
She linked her arm through mine. “You absolutely do not. No grilling him. We like him.”
“No kidding. I can tell by your mussed hair. And I think you missed a button.”
