Page 64 of Last Date

“There are about a hundred other things on the menu.”

I shrugged. “Stop trying to keep all the baked chicken to yourself.”

“Okay.” He smiled.

Doris returned with our iced teas, and we gave her our food order. Once she’d gathered the menus and moved away, a silence fell.

When I glanced up, Merrick was watching me. I grimaced. “I don’t know what to talk about.”

He frowned. “Why not?”

“I don’t know. I’m still in shock that you asked me to lunch.”

“You’re acting like we’ve never been alone together before,” Merrick said, his voice soft.

“This doesn’t feel at all awkward to you?”

“A little, but I’m here because I want to be here.”

That comment pleased me. Ever since our little talk at my house, I’d been intrigued by Merrick. If I was honest, I wanted to know him better. Understand him more. Maybe even be closer, like he’d said he wanted. I found myself attracted to him. I wouldn’t have had the courage to act on those desires, but I liked that he was being more assertive about things. “Is this what you meant when said you wanted us to be closer? You want to have lunches and stuff?”

He dropped his gaze, a line between his brows. “You have to start somewhere.”

I leaned toward him. “Tell me the truth, was Thomas busy or something, so you decided to ask me to lunch?”

He laughed. “No.”

“You sure?” I teased. “Was I your last option? Did Peter cancel his plans with you?”

He glanced up, his smile fading. “It was the other way around, actually.”

“What?” I lifted my brows at his surprising response.

“You heard me. I canceled my lunch plans with Peter so I could have lunch with you.”

Heat touched my face as I gaped at him. “Liar.”

“I’m not lying.”

“But… why would you do that?”

He shrugged. “I have lunch with Peter all the time.”

“Well, yes, because you two are a couple,” I forced out. “If he discovers you canceled for me, he’ll be resentful.”

He gave a wistful smile. “Too late.”

“What?” I gave him a worried glance.

Pressing his lips together, he avoided my gaze. “It doesn’t matter. Bottom line is, I wanted to have lunch with you today. So here we are.”

I was flattered but uneasy. I fiddled with my fork and knife, wondering if maybe I should take my food to go. I’d already suspected Peter resented me, but he’d just confirmed that for me. If Peter began to actively dislike me, it would be awkward for my brother.

Merrick sighed. “Kip, I’m allowed to have lunch with my friends. Peter has canceled on me before. This is no big deal.”

“I don’t want to cause problems between you two.”

“We’re two friends eating baked chicken. It’s not like we’re out getting drunk together. Geez.”