Page 21 of Always You (A Lilac Bay Novel)

“It’s a good thing he volunteered,” I told him. “Remember last year, when we let Jerry Brooks be in charge? He didn’t bring in nearly enough. David and some of the other guys were out fishing all day before the fry.”

“Yeah, but if my dad is in charge that means I’m going to get guilted into helping.”

“You love fishing,” I pointed out.

“Yeah, I love fishing for fun. Not because my dad is making me do it.”

I patted him on the shoulder. “You’ll excuse me if I don’t feel particularly bad for you. Being forced to participate in one of your favorite hobbies.” I gave a mock shudder. “The horror.”

“You’re in a sassy little mood today, aren’t you?” he asked.

Before I could respond, my cell phone rang.

I pulled it from my purse, frowning at the name on the screen. Rebecca.

“You could just ignore it,” Andrew suggested softly. But I sighed, thinking of the many other times my little sister had called me in a panic, needing my help.

“You know that I can’t.”

“Riley?” she said when I answered. She sounded okay, her voice even. No panic. I breathed in a sigh of relief.

“Hey. Everything okay?”

“Oh, yeah, everything is fine. I just wondered if you wanted to come over for dinner? I made a pot of chili and there’s way too much food here.”

“Oh, well—”

“You said this weekend that you were too busy, but you might be free during the week,” she reminded me, a definite edge to her voice. “So I’m calling you during the week.”

“I know, Beccs, but it’s pretty short notice.”

“Well, what are you doing? It’s a Monday night, you don’t have a game.”

God, she could be so pushy. “I actually have dinner plans.”

“With who?”

I searched my brain for a suitable person, someone that she wouldn’t just invite over.

“Hey, Riley!” a cheerful voice called from the street in front of us. Hank, one of the town’s carriage drivers, was making his slow and steady way towards the corner. “Andrew,” he continued. “Nice to see you, son. Good game you two had last week.”

“Thanks, Hank,” Andrew called back.

“Is that Andrew?” Rebecca asked shrewdly. “Is that who you have plans with?”

I sighed. There wasn’t really any way to put her off at this point. “Yes, Andrew and I were going to grab a drink.”

“Well, bring him along,” she said. “There’s a ton of food here.”

“Rebecca—”

“Here, pass him the phone.”

I sighed, holding it out for him. “Beccs wants to talk to you.”

“Hey, gorgeous,” he said into the phone, winking at me. I rolled my eyes. Was flirting a biological imperative to him? “Dinner tonight?” He looked over at me while I shook my head, mouthing the word no. His eyes widened, and I knew it was hopeless. Andrew was a terrible liar. I usually appreciated that about him, but was it so much to ask that he come up with an excuse every once in a while? “That sounds great, Beccs. Thanks for asking.”

I glared at him as he handed the phone back.