Luna. You’d really rather spend it with Chris?”
“Yes,” I said without hesitation. “I’d love to go out with you two sometime but not tomorrow. I’m not really in the mood for letting loose and partying like there’s no tomorrow.”
“Then okay. Of course, I’ll watch Adi.” She smiled softly. “I’m actually kind of proud of you for this. You’ve definitely grown since you met him.”
My eyes widened. “Why does it look like you suddenly approve of my relationship with him when less than ten minutes ago, you were telling me I was making a mistake?”
“I never said you were making a mistake. All I said was to make sure you’re doing the right thing. For the record, I never said I didn’t think you were doing the right thing.”
“So you’re okay with this?” My mouth nearly dropped open. “I’m so confused right now.”
“Don’t be.” She laughed. “You need tomorrow night, and I’m happy to watch Adi for you so you can do whatever it is you want to blow off steam in whichever way growing April wants to.”
“Why are you okay with this? I thought you would kidnap me and keep me locked up in your bathroom with some food until I got over the notion that a relationship might just work out.”
She shrugged. “I might still do that. Who knows? In the meantime, Adi talks about Chris all the time. I know a lot more about him than you think, and you need to keep him.”
I was so shocked that I was, for once, speechless. The only thing I could even think was how it was so weird that it was possible that people could surprise others so much even when they’d known them all their lives.
But this was a good surprise. I wasn’t even going to question it.
Chapter 27
CHRIS
“It’s been a long day,” I said to April when we met in the parking lot at the hospital. “How about we go out for dinner instead? That way, neither of us has to cook.”
She smiled and looped her arms around my shoulders, letting her head fall back to look into my eyes. “Have I told you today how much I appreciate you? That sounds heavenly.”
I wound my arms around her waist and pulled her right up against my chest, not giving a damn who saw us together. “Consider it done. Anything particular you’re in the mood for?”
“I wouldn’t say no to a really big pizza and a pitcher of beer.” A dreamy look came into her vivid green eyes. “There’s a restaurant on Midway called Backpackers’ that has a rooftop that does a two-for-one special. How about it?”
I chuckled and kissed her forehead. “I love how you could choose any restaurant in the city and that’s the first place your mind goes.”
“I like it there.” She shrugged. “I don’t know if you noticed, but I’m not exactly the type who enjoys fine dining and having to get all dressed up just to grab something to eat.”
“I noticed.” It was another one of the things I really liked about her. “I’m the same way, but the last few years, I’ve been expected to dial it up a notch.”
“Fuck expectations. More people should do what makes them happy instead of what would make other people happy. As long as it doesn’t negatively affect the people around you, every person ought to take care of their own happiness first. You can’t pour from an empty cup.”
“Agreed.” I allowed myself a few more beats of holding her before I stepped away. “But if you want to get to dinner, we should go. Otherwise, I’m hauling you to my place and not letting you go until morning.”
“I wouldn’t mind that either,” she teased. “Let’s go get some food into our bodies first, though. I haven’t eaten a thing all day.”
“It was one of those crazy days again. Hunter ran out to get us sandwiches at some point, but we didn’t even get to finish them.”
We climbed into my car, our hands joining as if they had magnets in them as soon as we were settled. I pulled out of the parking spot and got on the road with a good idea of where the place she’d mentioned was located.
“Have you made any more headway on the practice?” she asked. “Hunter said you were still working on a name.”
“If you heard the suggestions he’s come up with, you’d understand why we haven’t picked one yet. We haven’t had any time to do much more there, but