Page 59 of Tough Nut to Crack

Another round of chuckles swims through the small group. As much as the twins talk about their escapades, mostly Ronnie, really, I've never been one to engage in stories like that, and not just because I don't have many. I just feel like those aspects of my life shouldn't be bragged about. It feels trashy, and just thinking about mentioning Riley makes my skin crawl. I'd never disrespect her by telling stories about what happened between us.

"We have that festival coming up in a few weeks, and I was wondering if she was going to have a booth," Ethan says.

"Oh!" Ronnie says. "I hope she makes that same casserole."

Donnie makes a noise like the idea of eating that again excites him more than the prospect of his brother finding a new woman for them to date.

"You do realize that you can make arrangements for her to make that for you," I say.

"She'd do that for us?"

"She'd do that for money," I clarify, not liking the idea of them thinking she's going to do anything for them out of the goodness of her heart. "It's literally her job."

"I thought she did catering," Ethan says.

"She does, but I don't see an issue with her taking orders and cooking just a single meal," I explain.

Ethan tilts his head, a frown tugging his eyebrows closer together.

"What?"

He shakes his head before speaking. "Have you talked to her about doing that?"

"Why would I do that? It's her business."

"Exactly," he says as if everything makes complete sense to him. "You can't volunteer her for stuff if it's not something she offers."

"Woman trouble," Ronnie says, repeating what Ethan had said mere moments ago.

"There's a difference between just cooking a meal and catering an event," Ethan continues. "But maybe she will take special request orders the next time we have an event in town."

I frown at him and continue to eat my lunch. It was Ethan's day to bring food, so we're once again sitting down to the worst microwave Mexican meal. I can't even tell if the rice is actual rice or not, but before Riley cooked for me, it never really bothered me. I guess having a great meal really makes the junk I've been eating even worse.

I toss my fork onto the plastic dish andpull out my phone.

Yesterday was incredibly awkward after we had sex, but that doesn't mean that our agreement changed. I shoot her a hundred dollars with a note of what I think would make a great dinner for the evening.

Not a minute goes by before she sends it back with her own memo.

I have plans and won't be home to make dinner. Also, remember that I didn't take you in to raise. You're a grown man. Figure out dinner on your own.

I reread the note, realizing it stings more than it probably should. Who could she possibly have plans with?

"That look," Ethan says. "I told you. Woman trouble."

"She said she has plans tonight," I mutter before thinking about putting my business out there like some of the others do.

"Like a date?" Ronnie asks, his tone much lighter. The man is a magnet for drama and the first one to attempt to stir the pot and get shit started.

"Are you guys monogamous?" Ethan asks.

"We aren't dating."

"The look on your face and the grip you have on that phone makes me think otherwise," Ethan says.

I open my text messages and pause before typing anything out. I have no right to even ask her what she's doing. I'm well aware of the fact that we aren't a couple, but that doesn't stop that sting of irritation from swelling in my chest at thinking there's a chance I was inside of her yesterday and she could be going out on a date with someone else tonight.

Me: You have plans?

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