Page 57 of Can't Kiss the Chef

“No Dalton tonight?” I blurt out before handing my empty glass to the bartender for a refill.

Lola’s head snaps back as I try to insert myself into the conversation.

“Um, they have a late practice and are leaving for an away game early tomorrow.”

“What a shame. I would have loved to see him tonight.” I offer her a tight smile.

Lola rolls her eyes. After they take a full rotation, they light up.

Lola puts her hand on top of Avery’s.

“Why don’t you guys join us for a double date when he gets back on Friday? We were already planning on getting dinner.”

Avery looks at me, I shrug my shoulders and mouth,why not.

“Okay, I’m down if you are Byron.” She says keeping her eyes locked on me.

Lola’s body sags. Whatever she had planned has clearly been foiled. Lola gets Avery’s number before I can, already planning a trip to the barn.

When Lola leaves the bar to find the rest of our friends, I order Avery and me another round of drinks.

“I would love it if you came Friday, but don’t feel pressured to.”

“No, I want to come. I think it would be a lot of fun.” Avery looks down at her watch. “It’s getting late. I should get going. My Uber is almost here.”

I take my flannel off and rest over her shoulders. “I’ll wait with you.”

The nights are starting to get cold, but nights like tonight when there isn’t a cloud in the sky I’m happy I chose this small town to spend my college years.

“You never see stars like this in the city.” I’m always amazed how they just pepper the sky.

“It’s like we are in a snow globe.” She looks up in total awe. “It’s crazy how small it makes you feel.”

“Yeah, it makes you feel like your problems aren’t so big.”

She nods, I stand behind her and pull her back to my chest. We’re both lost in the sky when a red minivan pulls into the parking lot.

Avery jolts forward before looking down at her phone. “That’s me.” She bites her bottom lip.

I reach out and pull her into a hug. When she pulls away her eyes lock on my lips. I spin her around and open the car door for her.

“Text me when you get back.” I close the door and watch the car until the car fades into the darkness.

“Dude, Oliver just left with that hot teacher.” Aaron is playing a game of pool. He is standing maybe ten feet behind the booth but screams when he sees me sitting with our friends.

Lola, rolls her eyes. I’m honestly shocked she’s able to sit here and just listen to us casually bringing up her brother’s sex life.

“I like Avery. She seems really sweet.” Lola tells me, turning the torture on me.

“Yeah she’s looking forward to Friday.”

I don’t think I am.

21

Lola

“Come on, Lola, now that your schedule isn’t full of biology classes, you have time to enter the competition.”

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