Our eyes meet as he cleans up the last of the spilled beer. He shrugs innocently, trying to brush off the statements.
Kate throws back the brown liquor in the shot glass and slams it onto the table in front of her before propping her crossed arms on the table. “So Dani.” She pauses. “How long do you plan on sticking around for?”
My eyebrows raise in shock by her bluntness, but my attention is quickly diverted to my right when Kyler begins coughing uncontrollably. His body jerks.
“Ow!” I yell when I feel his foot come in contact with my shin.
“Oh my God!” Kyler turns to face me. Regret and remorse are written all over his face. “I am so sorry.” I lean down, rubbing my leg. What the hell was that about? Kate and Lauren’s mouths are wide open in shock. “I didn’t mean to kick you. I was aiming for my sister.”
Both sisters snicker. “Silly little brother,” Lauren starts.
“Don’t you know karma’s a bitch?” Kate laughs as she finishes the statement. They high-five each other. Wow, these two are quite the pair.
“I really am sorry.” He puts his elbows on the table and runs his fingers through his hair, exhaling a loud breath.
I reach out and touch his arm. “Ky, it’s okay. Seriously. I’m fine.” I meet his gaze and swallow before making a comment about how beautiful his eyes are. It’s not until the waitress comes back to the table that I divert my attention from his.
“Is everyone ready to order?”
“Can we get a few more minutes?” Kyler responds to her.
“Yeah, we’re still trying to decide what we want. Some of us just take a little longer to figure it out.”
The waitress nods. “Take your time. I’ll come back.”
I look up from the menu in front of me to find both girls moving their gazes between both me and Kyler.
I avoid their gaze, glancing back down at the menu. I feel like the twins can see right through me. The same way Kyler does. It’s like they are picking up on the things I’m not sure I’m ready for.
WIPING the sauce from my mouth with my napkin, I place the chicken bone back on my plate. These wings are delicious. “So Kate, Zach tells me you’re an artist?”
She scoffs, earning an eye roll from both her sister and her brother. “Hmm, so Zach’s been talking about me, huh?”
Lauren smirks. “Will you just give it a rest already?”
I look between the siblings, trying to find the missing puzzle piece here. Kyler leans back in his chair, stretching out, and his leg brushes up against mine. I quickly readjust in my seat. He doesn’t seem to notice my movements; if he does, he doesn’t show it on the outside.
“You see, my sister has this crazy idea in her head that Zach will ditch Haylee and be with her.”
I laugh and look at Kate. “Oh. Wow. Okay.”
My response earns a loud, deep laughter from Kyler.
Kate throws her hands up in the air. “I’m only joking, of course.”
Lauren leans in. “No she’s not.”
“Well, I’d hate to break it to ya, but I don’t know that he will break up with Haylee. I’ve never seen my brother act like this around anyone before. I mean, I know I missed a lot, but he’s basically a new man.”
Kyler reaches for the last chicken wing. “See, that’s what I’ve been telling her, but she refuses to give up hope.”
Kate folds her arms over her c
hest. “What can I say? I’m not a quitter.” I laugh and she continues. “Hey, you never know, plans change.”
My laughter abruptly comes to an end. I shake off that feeling creeping up my throat that tells me to cry. I know far too well that plans change, but I refuse to let that emotion show. I know Kate didn’t mean anything by it. Kyler’s thigh brushes against mine, pulling me from my thoughts. My skin heats at just that brief contact. This is insane to have that effect after an accidental touch.
I tuck a piece of hair behind my ear and steal a glance at Kyler from my peripheral vision and watch him carry on a conversation with his sisters. He smiles at something Lauren said. I am solely focused on him. My eyes drop to his lips again. I remember the other night and the feel of them on my forehead after he carried me to bed. That’s now two nights since I have been back that I have slept peacefully and without headphones or wearing one of Em’s T-shirts. That’s just a coincidence, right?