Page 87 of She Likes It, Hey Micah
Kit waits until I’m back on my feet before he gives me a knowing smile. “Well, whatever he is, I’m pretty sure I just made an enemy by hugging you.”
I whack his arm. “You did not.”
“Did too. He looks like he’s ready to strangle me. Go inside and say hi to Houston before I meet my untimely end.” Kit is still eyeing Fischer, and I’m pretty sure he’s about to go introduce himself. Without me.
I know better than to argue. When Kit gets something into his head, it’s impossible to change his mind. So, I send an apologetic smile to Fischer, who turns slightly pale and looks ready to run, and then I scurry inside and run smack into Houston. “Texas!” I pounce on him just like I did with Kit, though he responds with a lot less enthusiasm. “What’s the matter with you?”
He frowns. “What? Nothing.”
“He got stood up.” Jordan, Houston’s best friend and the guy Brooklyn is pining over, greets me with a bright smile. “Hey, Micah. Long time.”
“You’re even hotter than I remember,” I say. Mostly to see how Brooklyn reacts.
Just as I expected, she can’t hide her jealousy as she flushes bright red and then turns her attention to the giant aquarium on the side of the lobby as if she has no idea the rest of us are here.
Jordan laughs, walking backward to my sister’s side. “Candid as ever, I see.” Then he turns and mutters something to Brooklyn.
“So that’s a thing now?” I ask Houston. I wonder how he feels about it.
He feels sick, apparently. At least, helookssick as he actively avoids watching the pair of them. “I’m trying not to think about it,” he mutters, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “They haven’t told me anything, but they look at each other like…” He shakes his head. “I’m not going to make assumptions.”
I could tell him that Brooklyn is definitely into Jordan, but that would be me making assumptions just like him. I don’t know why Brooklyn is keeping things a secret, but she’s not doing a great job. Jordan’s even worse. He looks like he’s head over heels for Brooklyn and waiting for the right moment to tell her. Maybe he needs someone to tell him that there isn’t going to be a right moment when it comes to Brooklyn. He just has to go for it.
“I don’t think you have to worry,” I say, putting my hand on Houston’s shoulder.
He flinches like this whole thing is physically causing him pain.
I change the subject. “What’s this about you getting stood up? You were going to bring a date to family dinner?”
“The rest of you did, apparently,” Houston grunts, his eyes locking on the doors as Kit and Skyler come inside, Fischer right behind them. “Who’s this?”
Fischer relaxes as soon as he sees me, which is an awesome ego boost, let me tell you. As much as I want to try for another kiss because he’s less likely to snub me now that we have an audience, I can see the value in waiting until we’re alone. So I simply take his hand and pull him close.
“Houston, this is Fischer. We’ve been working on the Greenwood event together.”
“Working,” Houston mutters with a roll of his eyes. He holds out his hand, which Fischer takes with confidence. “Houston Briggs.”
“The pitcher,” Fischer replies. “I thought you would be taller.”
Kit and I both laugh, though Houston looks offended. Probably because he and Fischer are close to the same height. My brother isn’t exactly small.
“What are your intentions with my sister?” Houston asks.
I smack him. “Would you stop?”
“What? Someone has to take over while Chad is off falling in love, apparently. Any updates with that?”
I shake my head, wishing I had more to report. I’m still convinced Chad is absolutely falling for his neighbor, but I don’t have any proof. “He called me the other day and went on and on about how much he loves us, but he didn’t say anything about his mysterious female neighbor.”
“Is he okay?” Brooklyn asks. She’s joined in the conversation now that everyone is here, though she’s still a little pink. “Chad isn’t forthcoming with affection.”
“I think he was on pain pills or something.” At least, I hope he was. I’m still not sure. “Maybe I shouldn’t have let him stay for so long.”
Houston snorts a laugh. “As if you could get him to change his mind.”
“If anyone could, it would be Micah,” Brooklyn says. “Skyler, Kit, it’s so good to see you!”
Once everyone has greeted each other, we get a table and settle in, and I take Fischer’s hand, letting him know that I’m right beside him. So far, he’s doing great, and I’m feeling hopeful that the night is going to end with the promise of a bright future ahead of us.
