Better If He Goes (Always You #1) - Allie Everhart Page 0,30
out how to say this in a nice way. "It's just that it's been the three of us going out since you got here, and I'd kind of like it to just be Riley and me tonight."
"Oh." He pauses. "You know you could've just told me I was hanging out with you too much. I thought we were all having a good time, but I guess I was wrong."
"It's not that I don't like having you around. You're always the life of the party and that's great, but I'd also like some time with just Riley. She and I always had the summers together, just her and me, and I miss that. Plus, before you got here I told her we wouldn't be spending all our time with you, but so far, that's all we've done."
He leans against the counter, folding his arms over his chest. "Has she complained about that?"
"No, but she's not someone who would. She rarely complains, and if she thinks something makes me happy, she tends to go along with it, for my sake."
"And you think that's what she's doing now. Putting up with me to make you happy."
"I don't know. I haven't asked. Either way, I'd really like some time alone with her. After my interview, I want to take her to a nice dinner and then maybe out for a drink somewhere."
"Sounds like a date," he says.
I don't respond, not sure I want to tell him about my feelings for Riley. I'd rather wait until after I've talked to her.
"It's not a date. I just want to take her out for a nice dinner."
"Without your annoying cousin hanging around." He grins.
"Brad, that's not what I meant. The three of us will still go out. Just not tonight. Why don't you go out with someone else?" I smile. "Like maybe Giada?"
"She asked me out for drinks, but I turned her down."
"Are you serious? What the hell? Every guy in town wants to go out with her, and you turned her down?"
"I don't want to start something with her knowing I'm only here a few months."
"She's not sticking around either, so it's perfect. You date her for the summer and it's over."
"I'm just not feeling it with Giada. She's a nice girl, but not for me."
I look at him like he's crazy.
"What?" he asks. "I'm just not into her, okay?"
"Is there someone else?"
"There's no one else. I just don't feel like dating." He turns and opens the fridge, then closes it. "We're out of eggs again. I'm gonna go to the store. You need anything?"
"No, but before you go, are we good?"
"Of course. Why wouldn't we be?"
"I just don't want you being pissed at me for leaving you out tonight. I think I overheard Kent and Johnny talking about going to a club tonight. Why you don't go with them?"
"Kent and Johnny?" He gives me deadpan stare. "You really think I'd go out with those two?"
I laugh. "I know they're a little strange, but sometimes strange can be fun, especially if you don't have anything else to do."
"Thanks, but I think I'll figure something else out." He walks off, going down to his room.
My mom appears, heading straight to the coffeemaker to fill up her travel mug.
"What are you up to tonight?" she asks.
"I have that interview," I remind her.
"Oh, that's right. Are you ready for it?"
"I think so. I've been doing some research on the company." I wake up my laptop and return to the company's homepage.
She spoons some sugar into her mug. "I hope it goes well, although I'd hate to see you move so far away."
"I need a job, Mom. I can't be picky."
"I know, honey." She comes over and hugs my side. "I need to get to work. Oh, I'm going to dinner with Gayle tonight, but there's leftover lasagna in the fridge."
"I won't be home. I'm going out with Riley."
She walks back to her travel mug and screws on the lid. "What about Brad?"
"He's doing his own thing."
"He didn't want to go with you and Riley?" She turns back to me. "You two aren't fighting, are you?"
"No, not at all."
"Good." She grabs her purse. "Well, I'm off. Good luck with your interview!"
"Thanks, Mom."
I call up Riley at the salon. "Hey, Nate, what's up?"
"Just calling to see if we're still on for tonight."
"Yeah. Meet up at seven?"
"I'm not sure. It depends when my interview ends. Instead of meeting, I'll just come pick you up."