Page 127 of Stepbrother Dearest

He flushed and smiled shyly. “Thanks. You too.”

“Ready?” I motioned to the door.

He nodded and fell into step beside me as we went inside. The hostess brought us to a booth in the back corner and gave us our menus.

“What’s happening?” Graham asked when the hostess had left.

“What do you mean?” I played dumb.

“This. Why’d you invite me to dinner?” While his expression was guarded, his eyes were seeking.

“Because everyone deserves to be taken out on their birthday.”

He looked away. “You know that’s today?”

“Yeah. I figured you’d have plans…”

“Not this year. Eli and West went away for the weekend, and my parents took my little siblings to see Glenn’s family. Two of their cousins have birthdays this month so they always schedule the party on the weekend between them, which is when my birthday falls.”

“Seriously? That sucks.”

“It does. Eli’s birthday is Christmas Eve, so it’s usually just the two of us on our birthdays. This year it’s just me. But whatever. I’m an adult. It’s not like today is anything more than a reminder that I’m a year older.”

Our server came to the table, saving me from responding. We ordered our drinks, then spent the next few minutes looking at our menus.

“What do you think of the place?” I asked after we’d put in our orders.

“It’s nice.” He glanced around. “I don’t really come to this side of town often. Had no idea it was here.”

“I usually don’t either, but it’s close to work. Otherwise this isn’t my usual kind of place.”

“What is?”

“Honestly, I’m more of a take-out or delivery person. If I can eat in my sweatpants on my couch, I’m choosing that.”

He chuckled. “Same. What about when you do go out?”

“Depends on who I’m with, but I like pubs or diners.”

“Have you been to the Finer Diner? It’s on Crenshaw, a few blocks from the club.”

“No, is it good?”

“So good, especially if you like huge portions and comfort food.”

“Two of my favorite things.”

He smiled. “Mine too.”

I went to take a sip of my water but paused, my hand hovering in midair. Holy shit. This was my date restaurant. I’d discovered it because of work, but the few times I’d come here had been on dates. Why had my first instinct been to bring Graham here of all places in the city? Was I on a date with my stepbrother?

“You good?” he asked.

I shook myself free from my shock and picked up my water. “Yeah. Fine.”

“You sure? You looked like someone freeze-framed you after poking you in the butt.”

I snickered into my glass. “What?”

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