Page 24 of Meet Me in the Valley
Mrs. Dickson saunters over to our table, pouring fresh coffee into my mug. I give her a wink to say thanks, which earns me a hard pinch to the apple of my cheek.
I take a sip, letting the bold flavors of the roast warm my stomach. Donovan leans forward, resting his forearms on the table.
“When were you going to tell me you and Tia are hooking up?”
Hot coffee singes my nostrils as I choke on his ludicrous question. I cough loudly, pounding a fist against my chest while curious eyes pin me from every corner of the diner. I lift a hand in reassurance—I’m fine, not dying—and one by one, everyone returns to their meals.
“What the fuck are you talking about? Did you not see Isabel all over me last night?” I grunt, clearing my throat from the coffee going down the wrong pipe.
“Exactly. Isabel was all overyou.Not the other way around. You weren’t into it. If you and T are hiding something, I’m offended. As yourfirstbest friend,” he emphasizes the wordfirstlike it’s the most important title in the world, “I deserve to know if something is going on between you two.”
He’s wrong. I was totally into it. I think.
Donovan suggesting I’m hooking up with Tia is one of the most ridiculous things he’s ever said to me—and I’ve known him since we were in diapers.
“I’m not hiding shit from you. T and I have never hooked up. Not even close.”
“Then why were you both staring at each other last night like you wanted to eat each other’s faces? I don’t know, man. I thought you were using Isabel as a cover or some shit.” He lifts one shoulder, casually sipping his coffee as if what he’s suggesting is the most normal fucking thing in the world.
Me? Hooking up with Tia? Us? Together? No way. Well. Maybe—no. The fuck?
“You couldn’t be more wrong. She’s my best friend. We’d never cross that line.”
“No,” Donovan drawls, “I’m your best friend. She’s a beautiful woman who is so fucking into you, it’s not even funny.”
“It’s not funny because it’s not fucking true.”
I throw a hasty glance to Mrs. Dickinson as she drops off our food, grateful for the distraction. I plan to stuff my face with this New York strip and fries, so I can avoid talking about this any further. Unfortunately for me, Donovan won’t shut the hell up about it.
“I’m just saying. Would it be so bad? You two could be good together. Even Audrey can tell something is there.”
“Do you and Audrey also braid each other’s hair while you meddle into other people’s lives?” I tease while batting my eyelashes, popping a french fry in my mouth with a smirk. Hejust shakes his head, training his focus on his meal. I take that as a sign he’s tabling this discussion—for now.
Donovan is my brother. The closest thing I’ll ever have to one. He’s quick and intuitive—I’ve always admired that about him. We’ve been through everything together, thick and thin. After almost losing him this past summer, I swore I’d never take our friendship for granted again.
His words have always carried weight. When Donovan speaks, people listen. They listened back in high school, when he captained the soccer team to victory. They listened when he assumed leadership of his esteemed family’s successful winery and vineyard business. Shit, I’m listening now—and his observations about Tia and me have my head spinning.
“I have plans with Isabel tonight,” I say as I cut into my steak a little too aggressively. “Iwasinto it last night. I plan to finish what I started.”
My stomach rolls the second the words leave me. Donovan keeps his eyes on me as he slices through his steak. I avert my gaze because I’m afraid he’ll see my lie if I look at him.
My phone vibrates in my pocket. When I see the name pop up on my screen, my face falls slightly before I can catch myself. I chance a look at Donovan and see him biting back a grin.
Isabel
Let’s skip Siren’s Flask. Just come straight to mine around 8? I can make us drinks here instead? :)
“Not the girl you expected?” Donovan taunts.
“Shut up.”
Maybe he’s right. But I’ll prove him wrong.
So, I text Isabel back anyway, ignoring the way my chest knots like it’s trying to tell me otherwise.
Logan
Sounds like a plan. See you tonight.
