Page 61 of My Undead Heart
I set down the potted plant and catch the water before it hits me in the chest. “Beer, or wine I think. She’s not picky.”
He nods, and pulls two bottles of Summer Shandy out before shutting the door. He hands one to me and twists the top off of his. “She’s gorgeous.”
“Yeah, I know. And funny and smart.”
“So, you two are exclusive then?”
“Um, no, not really. I don’t think she’s seeing anyone else, and I’m not. But from what I can gather she’s not too keen on relationships.”
“But I thought you said you were dating.”
“We are.” I leave out the part about the bet. “It’s a long story, but we’ve been spending time together. We’ve got a few dates planned on the horizon.” Two after today to be exact, but again, even I know it sounds pitifully lame so I don’t mention the specifics.
He shakes his head, eyebrows raised, with a grim smile on his lips “Bro. You need to lock that down.”
“Lock it? I’m sorry, I don’t even know what that means.” I laugh but his expression doesn’t change. If anything, he appears more concerned.
“Look, you have a short window of opportunity. If she’s into you and you feel the same, then you need to let her know. Wait too long and you’ll be outcast to the dreaded friend zone.”
“Friend zone? That like the danger zone?”
“Hell yeah, it is! You don’t want to be there. No love between the sheets in the friend zone. And it’s practically impossible to climb your way out. Ask most of my friends out there.” He tips his beer.
“I believe you, Danny.”
Danny shakes his head, clasps a hand on one of my shoulders, and his gaze is sober. “I want to see you happy, Matt. And not alone forever.”
His concern is well meaning, but unnecessary. He doesn’t need to worry about me. “I’m good with being alone.”
“Yeah, that’s what worries me.” He exhales loudly.
“Hey, baby, can you start the barbeque?” Nikki turns the corner into the galley style kitchen. Her eyes widen and her painted pink lips widen with a smile. “Oh, hey, Matt. I’m so glad you made it.” She gives me a quick hug but with one drink in each hand I can’t quite reciprocate so it ends up feeling super awkward on my end.
“I’ll go start the grill. Everything’s ready to go, baby.” Danny pulls her to his side and kisses the top of her head.
She wraps her arms around his waist and glances up adoringly. “You are the best, baby.” They continue to stare into each other’s eyes as if I weren’t standing right here. If they weren’t blocking the entry, I’d scoot right out of this kitchen. I’m glad they’re in love, but it’s uncomfortable to watch. Call me old fashioned, but some things are best left for behind closed doors. I’ve never been big on PDA and as they continue to mutter compliments between kissing, it only confirms my feelings on the topic haven’t changed.
A throat clearing from behind finally separates their moment and Mia squeezes by the couple. I hold out the bottle of beer and she takes it from my hand with a smile. Her eyebrows lift just enough that she must find something amusing but of course she’s too polite to say it now.
“Everything okay?” I ask and she rolls her eyes.
“Fine. One of the beta teams found a problem with the torture chamber and now we’ve got to do a total rebuild.” She sighs, twists the top off her bottle, and takes a long pull.
“Matt, please tell me your girl isn’t an actual ax murderer,” Danny says on a forced laugh.
I shoot him a glare, because we just discussed the status of our relationship. “Oh, she’s not my—”
Mia interrupts. “Only some days. Others I’m fighting zombies, or the Russian mob. Oh! I raced cars in the Indy 500 a few years ago ... Really, you name it and I’ve done it all.” Mia’s lips pull up with her smug grin.
“Badass. And a little scary.” Danny tips his drink at her. “How exactly ...”
“I’m a video game designer.”
“Cool job. That explains a lot. I better go start the grill. I’ll be back.” Danny places a quick smooch on Nikki’s lips and bops out of the kitchen.
Nikki’s gaze follows him out and I wrack my brain for something to say or ask her. I’m not great at small talk and I can already say with certainty we have nothing in common besides loving my brother. It isn’t until Mia bumps my hip with hers that I realize I haven’t introduced the two.
“My bad. Sorry. Nikki, I’d like you to meet my friend. Mia, this is Danny’s girlfriend, Nikki.”
