Page 27 of The Fast Lane

I swallowed, my face growing warm. “But you don’t flirt with me. That’s not how our relationship works.”

His expression shifted into a scowl. “Enlighten me. How does our relationship work?”

“Oh, don’t act all offended. You know we’re friends, not the flirty kind of friends”—I might not want it to be true but over the years, Theo had made it apparent that he felt it—“you’re basically another one of my brothers.”

His scowl turned into a fierce frown. Again, something he’d never leveled at me before. What was happening?

“I’m going to the bathroom.” Theo tossed his napkin on the table and slid out of the bench. Instead of storming off, he turned away and hesitated. His shoulders rose and fell with a slow breath. When he turned around, he’d arranged his face into something more friendly.

Bracing a hand on the table, he leaned close. “I’m beginning to think you don’t know me as well as you think you do.”

My breath caught at the low, gravelly sound of his voice.

He shifted closer, his mouth stopping an inch from my ear. His warm breath on my skin sent a zing of awareness through me. “And I am definitely not your brother.”

Then he walked away. I willed myself not to turn around and watch him. I fanned my face with my hand, wondering at this strange turn of events. Maybe the Theo I thought I knew was that teenage boy I made a fool of myself over.

But based on my racing heart, I think I might like this Theo even more.

Damn it.

ELEVEN

Note to self:

Sometimes ice cream is just ice cream.

Sometimes, it’s not.

Back in the car, we were both quiet. Theo seemed lost in thought and I, desperate to distract myself, decided to check in with Cal.

Me: What are your thoughts on singing telegrams?

Cal: Why?

Me: Hypothetically, it could be a nice gift to liven up the rehearsal dinner. Think about it.

Cal: Hilarious. How about a marching band and petting zoo while you’re at it?

Me: I can’t tell if you’re joking so I’m going to err on the side of caution and say you’re serious.

The three telltale dots started and stopped at least three times. Then:

Cal: THERE WILL BE NO SINGING TELEGRAMS AT THE REHEARSAL DINNER. YOU WILL COME, SIT IN YOUR ASSIGNED SEAT, AND SMILE FOR PICTURES. GOT IT?

Me: Hi Melanie

Cal: DO YOU PROMISE?

Me: No singing telegrams. Got it.

Cal: GOOD.

Me: Is my brother still alive, or have you offed him and stuffed his body in the freezer already?

Cal: First, I am not an amateur. A freezer is no place to hide a body. Second, he’s right here. Third, I’m not kidding. NO SINGING TELEGRAMS.

Me: I hear you loud and clear.