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“I don’t get it. You have enough money, let someone else cook the food for you,” Austin tells me like it’s a simple math equation.
“I’m perfectly capable of cooking for myself. Plus, sometimes I like to do it. It occupies my time.”
“You need to find a person to occupy your time,” he counters. “At least find someone you can cook for instead. I picture you sitting at a table that seats, like, eight people all by yourself with a candle in front of your plate. And your cats are sitting on the floor by your feet.”
He paints the scene in my head and I don’t know if I’m offended or find it hilarious. “Jesus, you make it sound like I’m this reclusive monk living alone.”
“I mean, am I that far off?”
I think about it for a second. “I don’t have a dining room table that seats eight people.”
“All right, sorry. I meant six.” He pauses and laughs as I hear his car engine revving in the background. “You know what I’m saying, though. When was the last time you went out with someone who wasn’t me or your sister?”
Okay, he really is making me sound like I have absolutely no one.
“I’ve gone out with your sister.”
Austin is silent for a second. “Is that so?”
Shit. I need to backtrack or something. I didn’t mean to admit that I’ve gone out with her. But then again, it was only ever just as friends. There’s still a way to save myself here.
“Not like that,” I explain half assed. I don’t know what else to say. Might as well throw her and Griffin both under the bus. “She’s out with Griffin Carr right now, anyways.”
Austin makes a disgusted sound. “That fucking tool? I thought he was living over in England.”
“He is. He’s back in Idyll Cove visiting right now.” I leave out the part that she’s already been out with him before and I crashed their date.
His sigh is loud and exaggerated. He’s not happy, that much is clear. Aria is an adult and she’s free to make her own decisions. Plus, it’s not like her older brother can scare guys away like he used to.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I would have rather heard she was out with you or at your house instead of out on a date with him.”
My sigh matches his, but I don’t admit the words out loud to him.
Me fucking too.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
ARIA
Griffin waits for me outside of the restaurant as I walk toward him, straightening my dress that hugs my curves. After skating with Leo, I went home and showered and changed before heading here. Griffin picked a small Italian restaurant in the heart of Idyll Cove.
While Leo and I were in Orchid City for our last competition, Griffin asked me if he could get another chance at dinner with me. He was leaving to go back overseas soon, so I thought it would be the right thing for me to do. Even though we had a relationship many years ago, he was just a friend. There was no reason why I couldn't meet him for dinner.
I’m not sure what any of Griffin’s intentions are. I thought I made myself clear when we last made plans to go out. He isn’t someone I’m interested in romantically, but I can’t help but feel like maybe he doesn’t feel the same way I do. Griffin seemed all too eager to get dinner again after Leo interrupted the last time. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t glad Leo chased Griffin away that night.
As much as I don’t want to admit it, when it comes down to it, I will always choose Leo. Until someone comes along and completely sweeps me off my feet, my partner will always have to come first. After all, my livelihood rests on how cohesive our partnership is. What kind of partner would I be if he couldn’t trust me to be there when he needs me?
Griffin’s face lights up as I make my way closer to him. I shift my weight on my feet as his eyes scan the length of my body before landing on my face. "You look amazing, Ari," he says with a soft smile. He pulls me in for a hug and I wrap my arms around him before trying to take a step away. His arms linger for a little longer than I’m comfortable with before he releases me. "I think I might have the best-looking woman in the restaurant sitting across from me."
A part of me feels like I should be flattered by his kind words, but the other side of me resists the urge to cringe. I don't need him to say nice things to me. I also don't need him to say cringey things like that. It's a bit boastful and comes off as arrogant rather than flattering.
"Have you been here before?" I ask Griffin as I avoid responding to his comments.
Griffin shakes his head with his eyebrows momentarily drawn together. "No, I don't remember this place ever being here before."
I nod my head as I remember he hasn't been back in quite some time. The restaurant has been here for a few years now, but it's new compared to when he was last home. A lot has changed since Griffin moved away.
"Well, they usually have great specials on Thursday evenings," I tell him with a smile as I motion toward the building. "Shall we?"
