Page 63 of One Night

"Donna seemed really serious about it," Amber says, removing my arm from around her shoulder. "And I'm not willing to risk losing my job."

"Then I guess you'll have to sneak around." Liza smiles. "Hey, I gotta go. I'm working the night shift and if I don't hurry I'm going to be late."

"Yeah, go ahead," Amber says.

"See you guys later." She continues down the hall.

I open the door for Amber. "After you."

"Why did you tell her about us?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Putting my hand on her lower back, I lead her through the door into the garage. "She would've found out eventually. She's Ivy's sister. And Ivy's living with Jake. At some point Austin would mention us to Jake or Ivy and word would get back to Liza."

She stops when we reach her car. "Why would Austin be talking about us to his brother?"

"Because I'm one of Austin's closest friends and I know his family. If I'm dating someone, chances are he'll bring it up in conversation, especially since I'm dating his girlfriend's best friend. Why are you so worried about this? Liza wouldn't tell anyone."

"I guess you're right. I just don't want us getting in trouble."

"We won't." I lean against her car as she searches for her keys in her purse. "So where do you want to go for dinner?"

"Dinner?" She contemplates it for just a second, but then shakes her head. "No. I can't. I have things to do. I haven't been home all day."

"You have to eat, right?"

"Well, yeah, but..."

"Then let's go out. That way you won't have to make anything. It'll actually be faster to eat out then eat at home."

She smiles. "I doubt that. I usually heat up a frozen dinner. I can't cook, by the way. That's something you should know."

"I can't cook either, but it doesn't matter because I like eating out. So where do you want to go?"

"I didn't agree to it."

"Amber, don't fight me on this. It's just dinner. We're both tired. We're both hungry. Let's just stop somewhere on the way home. You like Zelliti's?"

"The spaghetti place?"

"It's fast so it won't take up your whole night. And from that grin on your face, I'm guessing you like their food."

"I do. Okay, then I guess I'll meet you there."

A half hour later, we're at a table waiting for our order. The place only serves spaghetti with like thirty different sauces.

"Enjoy," the waitress says, dropping off our plates. She doesn't bother to ask if we need anything else. This is no-frills dining. You order at the counter and get your own silverware and napkins.

"You always get marinara?" I ask Amber as she twirls spaghetti around her fork.

"Yeah, it's my favorite."

"You ever try one of the other sauces?"

"No. I go with what I like."

"How do you know you wouldn't like one of the others if you've never tried them?"

"I don't, but why bother trying them if I like this one?"

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