She opens her mouth with surprise but doesn’t answer as the rest of us chuckle.
“Future heartbreaker here.” Derek clasps his hand over Eli’s shoulder and Lindsay laughs.
“He’s in good company,” she says. It’s one of those compliments that could be construed as flirty, but I don’t have any interest in it.
Our waiter comes back with our food, and the aroma stirs a loud gurgle from my belly. Lindsay explains she placed her order at the bar, and the waiter hurries off with a promise that her food will be up soon.
“Don’t wait on me. Eat!” she shouts and that’s all it takes for us to stuff our faces.
Lindsay’s friendly. Funny too, and it’s easy with her at our table. I’m thankful it’s not weird, because the further into the meal we get, the more I realize how uncomfortable it’ll be to explain to Evie that one of my ex-girlfriends joined our bachelor party lunch.
After our meals are polished off, she leans over and whispers in my ear, “I know it’s a long shot, but any chance Jon or Derek are single?”
I chuckle and shake my head. “Happily taken.”
“Damn it. I figured, but had to ask. Any single friends?”
“Well ...”
“Hey, secret keepers. If you’ve got something so entertaining, let the rest of us in on it.” Derek’s announcement has all eyes zeroing in on where Lindsay and I lean together.
Her eyes widen and her spine straightens. I’m sure she doesn’t want me to blast the entire table with her inquiry. I also don’t need to be harassed for playing matchmaker, because I actually do have a friend she might connect with.
I shake my head and grab for my beer. “Telling her about what a crappy shot I am. Nothing like Jon, who could’ve taken out that Gila monster if he wanted.”
“Where do you go? A range?” She directs her question to Jon.
He shakes his head. “Nah. We drive out of the city and find a spot in the desert.”
Derek’s chuckle draws her attention. “Yeah, and if you ever go with this guy make sure you have witnesses. I thought Jon and Tate were gonna bury me in a shallow grave the first time I went.”
“We might have if it weren’t for the little dudes,” Jon jokes.
“Good thing you treat my sister right.” I add.
Derek winks and I try not to visualize just how well he treats my sister. He catches the attention of our server and slips her his credit card. I shake my head because he didn’t have to pick up the tab, but he only smiles.
“Thank you again for letting me join you all for lunch.” Lindsay’s chair scrapes across the cement flooring and she stands to wave. “See you tomorrow night,” she says to me and I nod.
“Yep. Be ready to work off that double cheese sirloin,” I tease and she laughs before leaving the restaurant. I turn back to my nephews. “What’s up next, boys?”
“We did shooting,” Ezra says.
I nod. “Yep.”
“And manly burgers,” he adds.
“Mmm hmm.” I rub my belly and Eli grins.
“So, up next is the big surprise!” His eyes widen and he looks from Jon to Derek, and back again. “Can we tell him?”
“There’s a surprise?” I sneak a glance at my friends because we really hadn’t discussed more than this, except maybe a trip to the park to play a few games of two-hand touch football.
“Can we tell him? Can we please?” Ezra begs and when Jon nods, a sneaky grin on his face, my nephew jumps up from his chair. “We’re going to a baseball game!”
“Wow, really?” I exaggerate my excitement because both he and Eli jump with joy. “Giants are in town, right?”
“Yes! And Dad—I mean, Derek—called his friend and we’re sitting by third base! Isn’t that cool?”
