AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Laura: I have a test in the morning and then I’m free all day. What did you have in mind? I found this really great restaurant next to Bayview Park. Did you want to order from there?
Me: Actually, my brother Luke invited us to his house for dinner. Are you interested?
She didn’t respond right away. My leg bounced underneath my desk as I waited to see what she would say.
Finally, a message popped up.
Laura: Sure. Sounds good.
Sure. Sounds good.
What the hell did that mean? Was she just being nice? Did she hate the idea but didn’t want to say so? I couldn’t take the ambiguity, so I called her.
“Hello?”
“I don’t want to pressure you or move this along faster than you’re comfortable with. I probably should have called you to invite you to my brother’s house, but I guess I wasn’t thinking. If you’re not ready, just say so and I’ll cancel.”
She was quiet. I heard an intake of breath and some background noise and waited for her to speak.
“It’s not that. I guess I thought this thing between us was…”
Was?
“I don’t know, more casual. It seems like we’re taking our relationship to another level by getting family involved and while I’m not necessarily opposed to that, I guess I was just surprised.”
“I get it.”
I paused to gather my thoughts and then said, “I want to take this relationship to the next level, Laura. I want you to meet my brothers. You might as well know what you’re getting into before it’s too late and I fall madly in love with you.”
Shit. Why did I say that over the phone? I wish I was in front of her to see her reaction, but I had to imagine it instead.
“I’d like that.”
“Meeting my brothers or me falling madly in love with you.” My stupid heart thudded, waiting for her response.
“Let’s start with the first one for now.”
“Good idea. I’ve never been in love before. I have no idea how irrational I’d be.”
She laughed. God, how I loved her laugh. Her smile, her eyes whenever they met mine. If I wasn’t lying to myself, I’d say I was nearly halfway in love with this woman already.
“I’ll pick you up at six on Friday. Is that good?”
“Perfect. See you then.”
“See you then? You can’t expect me to wait five days before I see you. I’ll swing by the bar tonight and take you home.”
“That sounds good, too. I’ll see you later, Rye.”
“See you later, Laura.”
Rye.
No one had ever called me that. I hated anyone who tried to shorten my name. It seemed like a mockery. But with her, it felt like a private side of myself that I would give just to her. I’d be her Rye.
My hand hovered over my computer mouse. I knew with one click in my Favorites tab, I would open the link to dive into Laura’s past. I’d done it before with other girls I’d dated and women my brothers had brought to dinner. It would only be fair to treat Laura the same.
Except it wouldn’t be fair, would it? I recalled how Frances had reacted to us looking into her, and I worried Laura would respond the same way.
