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“He’s not my type.”

“Fine.”

“And he’s into girls. He’s got like seventy girlfriends.”

I held up a defensive hand. “All right, all right.”

“Besides.” Brecken grew thoughtful and then blushed. “I like someone else.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Who?”

My kid brother’s blush deepened. “I know him from school. We’ve been talking. You’d like him. Bushwick’s super smart.”

“His name’s Bushwick?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you call him Bush or Wick for short?”

Breck tried to punch me. I dodged the blow.

“Never mind,” he said in a huff.

I grinned. “Just messing with you. Tell me more.”

Breck considered. “I’ll tell you more if you buy me a few hamburgers.”

“You’re still hungry after all that pasta salad?”

Now it was his turn to grin. “Naturally.”

“All right.” I searched around for my keys and found them on the couch beside my tux.

“Is that your penguin suit?” Breck asked.

“It is. Which reminds me, did you press your shirt and pants for tomorrow?”

“No, but I will.”

“Make sure you do.”

He rolled his eyes again. It was getting to be a habit with that kid. “I said I will.”

“Great.” I flipped my key ring around one finger. “Hamburger Haven awaits.”

Brecken brightened. “Two burgers with double cheese and mushrooms.”

“Fine. It’s your heartburn.”

He beat me to the door and I chuckled. But as I turned around to lock the door a dark feeling swept over me. I didn’t know why. Tomorrow was going to be a happy day. All was well. Maybe it was because I’d been thinking of Tristan earlier. Maybe it was some buried instinct for looming danger that may or may not be real.

Whatever the reason, I couldn’t shake the vague feeling of restlessness for the rest of the night.

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