Page 99 of Anyone But Her

Chapter Nineteen

Taylor

I'm dying to tell everyone Luke's news at dinner tonight but he made me promise not to. He wants to do it himself, when he's ready, which I totally understand but I'm so excited for him I want to tell the world.

"Can't I just drop a hint?" I say to Luke as we wait outside the restaurant. Luke and I drove together. Birdie is meeting us here because she's coming straight from work. And Cal had to pick up his date. My date, Noah, couldn't make it. I was so happy when Cal told me that. Being set up is bad enough but it's even worse when you're on a date with a guy while the guy you really like is watching.

"No hints. I'm not ready." But he's smiling, which says he's excited about the decision. We talked about it on the way over here and even though he expressed some doubts, that smile was still on his face.

"I just have to tell you again how impressed I was with the way you played today." I step closer. "And turned on."

"Turned on?" he asks, lowering his voice.

"Like really turned on."

"You can't say that stuff here, when I'm nowhere near a cold shower."

"Let's go around back."

"What? Taylor, no. I'm all for being adventurous but we can't be making out when your brother's about to show up."

"But I really need to kiss you."

"I need to kiss you too. So damn bad."

"Then let's go." I take his hand but he takes it right back.

"Your brother just pulled into the parking lot. And Birdie's here."

Turning around, I see her walking toward us. She's changed out of her uniform and is wearing an aqua blue sundress and sandals. She looks really nice, like she should be on actual date, not a fake one.

"Sorry I'm late," she says. "I had to go home and change and then I hit traffic on the way here."

"You're not late. You're right on time."

She stops in front of me. "What's up with you? Why are you so smiley? Did you guys just go around back and do something?"

"No!" I whisper. "Birdie, you can't make comments like that, especially around Cal."

"Obviously, but Cal's not here."

"He's right behind you." I lean down to her ear. "Be nice."

She turns around and says in her fake nice voice, "Cal, how lovely to see you again. And you must be..." She holds her hand out toward his date. "Sorry, but Cal didn't tell us your name."

"Alecia." The girl doesn't shake Birdie's hand. I don't think she noticed it. She's too busy looking at her phone.

Cal puts his arm around her and points to me, "Alecia, that's my sister, Taylor, and my friend, Luke. And that's Birdie, Taylor's friend."

"Birdie?" Alecia looks up from her phone and laughs. "That's really your name?"

"Yeah, do you have a problem with it?"

"It's a nickname, right? That can't be your real name."

"It IS my real name and I find it rude when people make fun of it."

This night isn't starting out well. I can already tell Birdie and Alecia aren't going to get along.

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