Page 73 of The Forever Rule

I had grimaced, and quickly typed.

Me:

Good morning. It was great seeing you last night. Now, where should I take your best friend for lunch where she’s not going to hate me.

Blakely:

I was just kidding with you. And lunch with Isabella? That’s so sweet. And she doesn’t mind anywhere. Honestly, food that she doesn’t have to cook herself is always a win.

Me:

So nothing pretentious.

Blakely:

LOL. Probably not for your first sibling date.

Me:

Don’t make it weird.

Blakely:

Oh, I’m going to make it weird. I’ll see you on Monday?

I had swallowed hard, wondering what the hell I was going to do with myself and her.

Me:

Yes. Monday it is.

And that was how I found myself in front of Isabella, both of us seated across from each other in a booth, feeling awkward as hell.

“Thank you for joining me for lunch,” I said, tapping my fingers on the table. Isabelle’s gaze went straight to the motion, and I stopped.

Now I was developing a nervous tick about this family. It seemed about right.

“I was honestly surprised that you asked me for lunch. And since it’s just the two of us, I guess it doesn’t count toward our monthly meal.”

I grimaced. “Do any meals you eat with the siblings you knew about your entire life this month count?”

“Touché.”

“Here’s the deal…” I began.

Isabella just grinned. “I was waiting for that.”

I continued as if I hadn’t heard her. I liked her biting tone. Honestly, it reminded me of Flynn’s when he was in a mood, and myself for that matter.

“I’m seeing your best friend, and we’re newly found siblings. I think we should just deal.”

Isabella spluttered in front of me and shook her head. “You’reseeingBlakely? That’s the label you’re using?”

I shrugged, knowing that label might not have been correct, but it was something. I wasn’t completely jumping off the deep end. Or maybe I was. “I want to see her, and we have gone out. I’m not quite sure what other label I should be using. And frankly, that’s a discussion Blakely and I need to have.”

Isabella smiled so sweetly, I had a feeling I said the right thing. “You’re right. I am usually very bad at those conversations, so more power to you.”

“So you’re not seeing anyone?”

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