Page 48 of Forever Entwined

"Man, that's just what I needed. Thanks for bringing us," says Nate.

"Nah man, thanks for giving us a ride," replies Tucker. I excuse myself, saying I'm going to the bathroom, but instead slip off to pay the bill. When I come back, the guys are just finishing their drinks. "Ready to go?" Ava asks as she hands me my phone.

"Check, please, Henry," Tucker calls out to the old man behind the counter.

"It's all paid, Tucker. The new lady has taken care of it. Keep her close; she seems like a good egg," the old man calls over to us.

"He’s a friend of my grandfather's. He always takes good care of us. I’ve been coming since I was in diapers, I think. That said, you didn't have to pay the bill, Izzy. Let me pay you back," Tucker offers.

"No, honestly, you're welcome. Take it as my little thank you for all your friendship and for taking such good care of me last night, Tucker. You didn't have to offer up your house to help me, and Ava, you didn't have to be such a great friend and think of me the way you did this morning."

"Okay, okay, stop right there. I don't want to hear about all the ways Nate took care of you last night; I want to keep the food in my tummy, thanks. I'm just glad I'm a heavy sleeper," Tucker starts to say with a laugh, but Nate surprises me by slapping him on the back of the head in response, and not in a very playful way.

"Now listen here," Nate snaps, his voice dripping with a mix of seriousness and humor. "I took care of her like a true gentleman should. But let me warn you, if you dare to disrespect Bella in any way, whether you're a friend or not, we're going to have some serious problems."

If I’m honest, it comes out more like a threat, but Tucker doesn’t seem fazed.

"I'm only teasing you guys, but seriously Izzy, if I say something that you really don't like, please pull me up on it. I'm just kidding around. I'd hate to think that I ever disrespected you." He apologizes, looking at me sincerely, so I give him a big smile in return.

"It's okay; I know it's just a joke. You're like my annoying, big brother," I tease back, trying to lighten the suddenly serious mood.

"Well, she's right about the annoying part," Ava teases, also trying to lighten the mood, I think. "But he can't be your big brother if you're like my little sister because that's just weird," Ava adds, with a disgusted shudder.

"Hey, why am I the little sister when we're the same age?" I whine.

"Because, my little wall flower, there are so many things I need to teach you." Ava laughs, petting my head like a puppy dog.

Tucker seems about ready to burst and looks over at Nate for permission to speak. "Well, I can see you're dying to say something, Tucker, just say it," Nate says as he shakes his head with a smile.

"Not as many things as Nate wants to teach her, I'm sure," Tucker quickly says out loud, then ducks behind Ava, so Nate can't hit his head again. We all have to laugh at his reaction.

"You just couldn't resist, could you?" I laugh.

"Nope, it killed me to hold it inside," he admits with a loud, exaggerated breath. "Are you sure I can't at least pay half towards breakfast?" asks Tucker again.

"No, that's totally fine. My parents work around the clock, so they give me a decent allowance, hoping presents will make up for the lack of presence," I say with a shrug.

"Thanks again. Lunch is on us," he says, pulling me into a side hug. Nate gives him a gentle kick in the butt as we walk past, causing Tucker to look back in surprise.

"That's for hiding behind YOUR girl, and this," he says, ruffling Tucker's hair and trying to tackle him playfully, "is for touching MY girl." The two boys sprint off, chasing each other out of the diner and across the parking lot like little kids.

"Honestly, boys never grow up, do they?" We laughat the same time, as we watch them both run across the parking lot, chasing each other and trying to hide behind the parked cars.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

NATHANIEL

We jump in the car and drive off, arriving at a large nature reserve where you can walk, have picnics, and be surrounded by nature just over an hour later. I hear Ava excitedly telling Bella there are even wild foxes, rabbits, and deer so tame they come right up to people to eat. You have to buy the food before you start the walk, though, because rangers walk around to make sure no one is hurting or intentionally harming animals by feeding them anything they shouldn’t.

"Naaaaate, can we please go to the gift store and get the food?" whines Bella from behind.

"Yes, honey, we need food for our furry friends," Ava whines to Tucker.

"Fine!" We both say at the same time, knowing that it’s a losing battle to try and win in this situation. "I'll park and pay first, then meet you over there," I say.

Both girls are unbuckled, out of the car, and running towards the gift store before I think I've even had time to completely stop the car to park. I look over at Tucker. "We're going to regret letting those two loose, aren't we?" I laugh.

"Yeah, I'd best sell my kidney now because those two will want to buy everything.," he responds with a shake of his head.