Page 101 of The Storm

“Al’s?” Dia asks. “Seriously? Don’t you remember when the whole football team got food poisoning there?”

“Allegedly. Anyway, the risk is what makes it so tasty.”

We get in the car, and in less than five minutes we’re sitting at one of the tables in front of Al’s. It’s hot outside even in the partial shade of the trees. Heat comes off the pavement in waves. The sinking sun makes everything around us glow in different shades of gold.

I stretch my feet out and lean back in one of the rickety plastic chairs that makes up the patio furniture at Al’s.

“How’s the family?” I ask Bridget.

“I’m nineteen, so by my grandparents’ and aunts’ and uncles’ estimation well on my way to becoming a spinster. I was introduced to every eligible, good ol’ hometown boy they could find. I’m talking marched around at every party they held. And there were a lot of parties. I did learn some things about myself, though. Apparently I’ve got childbearing hips and a nice, sturdy handshake.”

“Do I hear wedding bells?” I ask.

“It’s why we’re here. I wanted somewhere special to ask you to be my maid of honor.” She presses her palm to her chest and sniffs. “Will you do me the honor?”

“Hey!” Dia protests. “Like… I’m sorry, but what am I? Some random extremely beautiful woman you can just throw aside like that?”

“Dude. You’ll officiate. And my groom will try and grab your boob halfway through, and then you’ll, you know, torch him with a flamethrower, and we’ll have ourselves a good party at my grandparents’ expense.”

“Make sure you book the honeymoon for three.” I angle my face up to the sun.

“Santorini, baby,” she says, and we all laugh.

I missed her, and I’m glad she’s back. I’m glad they’re both back.

“Again, why do your parents insist on going there every summer?” Dia shakes her head. “You could’ve come with me to LA.”

Bridge waves her off. “It’s not all matchmaking attempts. I went horseback riding every morning with my pops and one time I saw a bobcat. It was really cool. Anyway.” She aims her gaze at me. “You.”

“What about me?” I ask.

She rolls her eyes. “I don’t know. What’s been going on with you? I barely heard from you the whole time I was gone.”

I shrug. “Nothing much. Work, mostly.”

Dia snorts, and she and Bridge exchange looks before they both turn their heads in unison and pin me with identical looks.

“He’s got something going on,” Dia says. “He keeps disappearing all the time.”

I’m trying very hard not to fidget and to sound casual. “I have a job.”

Neither of them looks like they believe me.

“I’m pretty sure he’s seeing somebody,” Dia says.

Bridge quirks her brow at me. “Come on. Share with the rest of the class.”

I try to figure out what to say, and I take way too long because Dia and Bridge exchange another look and then both lean forward. “Who is she?”

“I don’t have a girlfriend,” I say.

“How specific. Is that you trying to say you’re hooking up with somebody?” Bridge’s grin widens. “Scandalous. You dog.”

I sigh while they snicker.

Bridge holds her hands up. “Fine. Keep it to yourself.”

I take a slow breath of relief.