Page 88 of Destiny

“All right, but you’re sworn to secrecy. Both of you.” She looks at Ava.

“My lips are sealed,” Ava says, still not looking at me.

“Sit down for a minute, Brendan. This is a secret.”

I take the seat next to Ava and intentionally nudge my thigh against hers.

“Emerald Phoenix is going to be at the concert,” Rory says quietly. “It’s a secret, so don’t tell anyone else.”

“Seriously?” Ava says, a little too loudly.

“Yeah. They’re only going to do a couple of numbers. And we’re not allowed to advertise it that way or people will be coming from all over the state to see the concert, and the venue just isn’t big enough for that.”

“Yeah, I get it,” I say.

“Brendan,” Lisa yells from the front. “Your pizza’s ready.”

I rise. “Good luck getting ready, and that’s wonderful news. I can’t wait to see the concert.”

I don’t look at Ava as I walk to the front, grab my pizza, and go.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Ava

“Trouble in paradise?” Jesse drawls.

“I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I take a bite of my olive oil–soaked bread.

“No biggie, cuz,” Brock says. “You can do better than Brendan Murphy.”

“Hey,” I say.

He elbows my ribs. “I knew that would get you. Brendan’s a great guy, I’m kidding.”

“We’ll work it out,” I say. “We’ve just both got a lot going on right now in our personal lives.”

“Anything we can help with?” Rory asks.

Brock shoots her a look.

“I mean, I understand if it’s personal.”

I take a drink of water. “Yeah, it’s personal. Like I said, we’ll work it out.”

And now can we please stop talking about it?

Lisa comes by with our orders.

“Where are Nora and Sadie tonight?” Brock asks.

“They both had some party they wanted to go to. I could only get one of the shifts covered, so I’m pulling double duty tonight. Anything else I can get you four?”

“I’m good.” I inhale. Lisa’s robust marinara sauce always smells great, even when I’m not feeling hungry.

“Good enough. Anyone need a refill on drinks?”

Brock, Rory, and Jesse are sharing a bottle of Chianti.

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