Page 30 of More For Me

But the expressions on their face as we approach puts that hope to bed real quick.

“Don’t kill us,” River says, holding up his hands. “Ash just called and Poppy has a fever.”

I glare him. The dog was one thing but pretending your daughter is sick? That feels particularly low. He just shrugs. “Kids, man. They keep you on your toes.”

Everly looks worried. “A fever can be serious in a baby, can’t it? Are you going to take her to the hospital? Should we come with you?”

Jasmine, at least, looks a little guilty. “Oh, I wouldn’t worry about it. Babies get fevers when they have new teeth coming in. I’m sure it’s just that.”

“Ash said it wasn’t high,” River adds, maybe feeling a little of the guilt himself. Good. I hope they both feel like shit for the rest of the night.

“We just don’t feel right leaving her with the twins if she’s fussy,” Jas adds. “But I’m positive there’s nothing to worry about.”

Everly turns to me, shrugging. “I guess we’re double dating with Will and Eva.”

I know she doesn’t mean it literally, but River’s face lights up at the worddate. I am seriously going to kill him. And Fox. And Alex. And, I’m sure, Will and Eva, depending on what comes out of River’s mouth next.

“Bad news,” he says with an unconvincing grimace. “Eva is stuck in the recording studio. They’re not going to be able to make it.”

Everly narrows her eyes, looking back and forth between the two of them. “Are we being pranked?”

“What?” River squeaks, looking a little panicked. “Of course not. What do you mean? Why would you say that?”

“Because literally everyone cancelled.” She throws her hands up. “It seems like an awful lot of bad luck to be going around in one night.”

“Oh, did someone else cancel?” River asks, totally unconvincing. “I thought it was just us and Will.”

“Fox and Alex are out, too.” She studies her cousin. “Why do I get the idea you already knew that?”

I close my eyes, the sick feeling returning. Iknewshe was going to pick up on whatever the hell they were planning. Sometimes people underestimate Everly. They see her excitability and over-the-top energy as signs of flakiness, which couldn’t be farther from the truth. Girl is sharp as a tack, and there’s not much in her family that ever gets past her.

“We really do have to get going,” River says, tugging on Jasmine’s arm. “But the room is all reserved! You guys should go in and eat. We’re really sorry to miss it.”

He isn’t sorry in the slightest. He even gives me a thumbs up when a distinctly put-out Everly hugs Jas goodbye. I respond with a middle finger. Asshole doesn’t even pretend to look sheepish.

Once they’re gone, Everly turns back to me, shoulders slumping. “I have no idea what everyone’s deal is. Do you just want to go home?” She glances back at the restaurant, looking disappointed.

“We’re not going home,” I say firmly. Because to hell with the Ransomes and their little schemes. Everly is breathtakingly gorgeous, all dressed up for a night out, and there’s no way I’m going to make her sit at home in her sweats like it’s any other night.

Her eyes light up with mischief. “You know, I’m pretty sure Will had to put his credit card down to reserve the room.”

“Really?” I feel a smile growing on my face. “That seems awfully short-sighted of him now.” I hold out an arm. “You want to go run up your cousin’s credit card?”

She takes my arm. “I bet this place has a decent wine list. We could probably do some real damage.”

When the hostess shows us to the private room, I just laugh. What’s the point in getting angry again?

“The table is set for two people,” she says, sounding confused.

“It would seem that way.”

“And it’s like, really small.”

It’s obviously a table for two. How in the hell her dumbass cousins thought she wouldn’t realize that is beyond me. If that wasn’t bad enough, there are enough candles in this room to light a village for an entire winter. And in the corner stands a violinist. There’s a fucking violinist in here.

Suddenly Everly turns to me, her cheeks red, eyes wide and—fuck, is she going to cry?

“I’m so sorry,” she says quickly, reaching for my hands. “I am so, so sorry Bodhi.”