Page 19 of Bravo

“I’m doing good, thanks for asking.”

“Always. You boys are like family. It’s tough when you’re gone.”

“Hard on us, too,” I admit.

She smiles softly and pats my shoulder. “You are some of the best men I know.” The bell rings over the door, and Lani walks in. She offers Talia a wave then turns back toward the door and smiles.

Sammy steps in, her hair loose around her shoulders and curled softly. She’s traded out her ranch attire for a pair of leggings and a long cream sweatshirt that hangs nearly to her knees. She surveys the diner and stalls on me.

Our gazes hold, and I am completely unable to tear my eyes away from her even though, on some level, I know I should probably wave or smile or do something—anything—to stop myself from staring at her like she’s the last piece of pie on the planet and I’m a starved man.

Then Lani turns and waves before crossing toward me, dragging Sammy in tow.

“Hey there, big brother.” She slides into the booth, and Sammy slides in beside her, keeping her focus anywhere but on me.

“Hey, how’s it going?” I say, finally regaining the ability to speak. Who is this woman that she has me behaving like a lovestruck teenager?

“Good. Since you guys wrapped up at the ranch early, I convinced Sammy to come out with me. We’re headed over to the movies after this. Of course, I had to drive all the way over there since she doesn’t believe in cell phones.” She nudges Sammy with her shoulder, and she grins in response.

Going to a movie here in Pine Creek consists of attending the small community theatre where they’ve set up a projection screen. They only show movies on the weekend, and everything they show has been out for months, if not years.

“Fun. What are they playing tonight?”

“Angels in the Outfield.”

“A classic,” I reply with a smile and a quick glance at Sammy, who now has her gaze trained on a menu Talia dropped off.

“That’s what I told Sammy. But she hasn’t ever seen it.”

At the mention of her name, Sammy looks up.

“You’ve never seenAngels in the Outfield?”

“I haven’t,” she replies. “Though I hear I’m in for a treat.”

“It’s one of the best.”

Lani looks at me. “You should come with us.”

“What?”

“Yeah, why not?” Lani looks at Sammy as though searching for confirmation.

“I don’t mind,” she says, though I can see the hesitation on her face. I just can’t tell if it’s because she’s feeling the same sort of attraction I am or if she genuinely doesn’t care for me. Though I can’t imagine it being the latter given I haven’t known her but a day.

“I don’t want to intrude on girls’ night.”

“Oh, stop.” Lani waves her hand. “You’re not intruding on anything. Unless you have a date or something?”

“What?”

“A date. Do you have a date?” Lani glances around the diner. “Are we taking her spot?”

“No, no date. I just didn’t feel like sitting at home tonight, and since Mom and Dad are having their weekly dinner for just the two of them, I thought?—”

“That you would eat with your little sister and her new friend then go with us to the movies as our chaperone. Much appreciated, Bradyn.” She beams at me, and before I can respond, Talia steps up to the table.

“Evening, ladies. What can I get for you?”

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