Page 21 of Enemies with my Bestie’s Brother
“Do you want to wash the dishes while I cook? That would really help with the clean-up later,” she says as she stirs the noodles in the pan.
The savory fragrance is overwhelming in the kitchen, and my stomach growls with hunger.
Penny laughs and looks at me. “Well someone’s looking forward to dinner, aren’t they?”
“It smells so good. It’s so crazy how something like a scent can transport you back to the past. It feels like we’re in college again,” I tell her as I pick up a sudsy sponge and the cutting board she sliced the chicken on.
“It wasn’t even that long ago, but my life has changed so much since then. An amazing husband and the cutest baby on this planet. Who would have thought?” she says dreamily as she stares at Parker and her son. I look up at them, sneaking a peak at Grayson. He looks good. He’s dressed casually, with a blue shirt that stretches across his chest and some joggers that look like they cost more than my entire business is worth. As I’m admiring him, he looks up, and his blue eyes meet mine. I look away quickly, busying myself with the cutting board.
Time passes quickly, and before I can even blink, the four of us are sitting around the table while Baby J snoozes away in his playpen.
“Oh, I’m so excited. I haven’t had this since we were roommates!” I say as I swirl some of the noodles around my fork. Penny laughs and shakes her head as Parker grins.
“Lucky for you that this is a treat then. I swear we have spicy Pad Thai every week in this house!” He laughs and Penny elbows him in the ribs, shooting him a look.
“We haven’t had it once since I’ve been here, so that can’t be true!” I exclaim.
“Exactly. Now quit complaining before I never make it again!” Penny wields her fork at him in a faux-threatening manner.
Parker widens his eyes and hurriedly shoves some noodles in his mouth.
“You guys are goofy,” Grayson shakes his head and shoves a forkful of noodles in his mouth. “Oh my god, Penny, this tastes incredible.”
Penny beams at him, ecstatic about the praise. Grayson groans with enjoyment as he continues to eat. It’s quiet for a few moments while everyone digs into their food.
As I eat, memories of being in college with Penny float back to me. Truth be told, I was surprised at first that Penny had chosen to live in a dorm. Since her family was wealthy, she could have lived in her own apartment off campus, without a roommate. But, after I got to know her, I learned that Penny wanted an authentic university experience.
And, it was an authentic university experience she got, from attending every opportunity for free food we could find to getting free t-shirts from every club and organization on campus. We partied at the fraternity houses and snuck into nightclubs we were too young for.
“So, Whitney, has Penny finally managed to convince you to make the beloved Golden Gate City your permanent home?” Parker asks between mouthfuls.
“It’s funny that you ask that, actually, because that happens to be what we were discussing when you came into the room earlier. As I’ve been trying to tell Penny, I just don’t know if it’s in the stars for me. I have my family and my business back in Keene. It would be a big change for me,” I say, avoiding Grayson’s eyes.
I can feel him watching me as the words leave my mouth.
“And, as I’ve been trying to tell Whitney, we are here for her. Even her mom thinks that Keene is holding her back! Whitney belongs here,” Penny shoots back, smiling sweetly at me.
“I agree, I think that you would fit in quite nicely here, Whitney,” Grayson chimes in.
It’s almost funny, the change of heart that he’s had in the past week and a half. I try not to roll my eyes at his response.
“So, Parker, how’s work coming along?” I ask in a desperate attempt to get the attention off of me.
It’s starting to feel like I was tricked into an intervention.
“Oh god, let’s talk about something besides work,” Penny interjects. “We’re adults, but we’re not squares. So, Whitney, are you open to a potential blind date? I know that your last relationship wasn’t so wonderful, but this guy is—”
“This doesn’t really feel like appropriate dinner talk either. It feels more like girl talk for the two of you,” Parker interrupts.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Parker.
I am definitely not ready to have that conversation, especially in front of Grayson. His hand is red from the sheer amount of force he’s using to grip the fork in his hand.
Eventhoughdinnerwassomewhat hard to sit through with Grayson here, it wasn’t as awkward as I thought it would be. Grayson and I are left to clear the table while Penny goes to soothe Baby J back to sleep and Parker washes the dishes in the kitchen. I’m silent as I pick up the plates off the table. Grayson stands near me, and I’m acutely aware of how close he is.
“Have you thought about the weekend we spent together at all? Because every time I look at you, I can’t seem to get it off my mind,” he says in a low voice.
I turn to face him, and his eyes are alight with lust.
