Page 40 of So Right
“It is,” Tori said. She turned to look at Kelsey. “And is that your grandmother? I met her at my folks’ house the other morning. I stopped by during a run. She’s a hoot.”
“Yes, that’s Gram,” Kelsey said.
“Are they an item?” Tori asked, her eyes lighting. “That would be so great.”
“I don’t know what they are, but they seem to be having a good time.”
Tori grinned. “That’s all that matters. We all just adore George. There’s nothing we’d like more than to see him find love.” She put her arm around Sean and snuggled close against him.
Suddenly, Luke wanted to find love. Or at least companionship. For the first time, he missed what he’d had with Paige. Not that exactly, but the promise of something…special.
He thought about what he and Kelsey had talked about on the way over, how when he thought of long-term relationships and settling down, he always assumed that would come later. But when was later?
They chatted for a few more minutes, and then he and Kelsey decided to grab some food. They finished their ale before heading out of the beer garden.
On the way out, they ran into Brooke and Cam, who were hand in hand. “Hey, bro!” Cam clapped Luke on the shoulder as Brooke and Kelsey exchanged a brief hug.
“We’re headed for some of Kyle’s killer fondue.” Another of the Archer sextuplets, Kyle was a celebrity chef and ran the restaurant up at The Alex hotel.
Brooke looked over at Cam. “Oh, that sounds so good. Can the beer wait?”
“Whatever my love wants is my fondest desire.” Cam took her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm.
“I think I might gag,” Luke said.
Kelsey nudged him in the arm. “Don’t say that. It’s cute.”
“He’s my brother. There’s a law that I have to give him crap. You have a brother, right?”
“Yes, but he’s ten, so it’s not remotely similar. Plus, I don’t think the dynamic between brothers and sisters is quite the same as just brothers.”
“Or just sisters,” Brooke put in. “I have two of those, and I can attest to taunting them as much as these yokels do.” She jabbed her thumb toward Luke and Cam.
They turned and headed toward the fondue booth. A space at a table opened up, so Brooke and Kelsey grabbed spots for them while Luke and Cam went to get the food.
Cam looked over at the ladies with their heads bent together. “You didn’t tell me you were coming with Kelsey tonight.” He speared Luke with an inquisitive stare.
Luke shrugged. “No big deal.”
“Tell that to Mom. If she sees that you’re on a date, she’ll have Kelsey over for dinner faster than you can say chicken potpie.”
Luke looked around. “Is she here?”
Cam stepped forward as the line moved. “Probably. She and Dad usually come on Saturday night.”
“Well, do me a favor and keep your mouth shut.”
“Is it a secret?” Cam asked.
Luke sent him an exasperated stare. “Obviously not, but as you pointed out, Mom will be all over this like ugly on a gorilla.”
“Eh, it’s not that bad. Brooke loves her.”
“Good for Brooke.” Luke didn’t want to scare Kelsey off. Mom could be intense.
It was their turn at the counter, and they ordered fondue, sausage, and pretzels. They had to wait nearly ten minutes for the food and then carted it back to the table.
Kelsey looked up at Luke as he sat down next to her. “So we just got a text from Crystal. She’s in California this weekend, but she set up an appointment with the archaeologist this Wednesday at eleven. Does that work for you guys?” She glanced over at Cam before returning her gaze to Luke.
