Some of the starch went out of Anne’s shoulders. “Three.”
“Exactly. When I have an empty bedroom I had been setting up for Maddie until she lost the plot and started hooking up with my brother.”
“That girl has loved your brother her whole life.”
I blinked in amazement. “How do you know that?”
Anne shrugged. “Let’s just say Ryan and Hope aren’t exactly quiet when they’re gossiping. And anyone can see it when they look at Maddie and Nathan. The two of them are meant for each other.”
“Doesn’t make it any less gross to watch your best friend make out with your brother.” I faked a shudder. Actually, I didn’t mind. Maddie deserved whatever she wanted. I just thought she’d grown out of her little infatuation. And wised up. I mean, this wasNathanwe were talking about.
“Still, Indy here would probably be more comfortable staying with someone she actually knows, AKA me.” Anne pointed at herself with her thumb.
I leaned back and raised my eyebrows at her. “Sounds to me she knows you about as well as you know me. At least if she stayed with me, she’d have her own bedroom. And she’ll only have to share a bathroom with me. Not even really sharing, since I have my own half bath.”
“Um, can you both stop talking about me like I’m not sitting right here?” Indy cut in with a tremulous voice. “I can speak for myself.”
I turned away from my starring contest with Anne and faced Indy. “So what’s it going to be? Couch surfing with Anne or your own bedroom and most of a bathroom at my place?”
Indy’s eyes danced between me and Anne, and I could see the overwhelming emotion of everything weighing her down. She was inches from breaking apart, and I didn’t blame her. Poor kid.
“I really appreciate the offer,” she started.
My heart sank. I really wanted to help her.
Then she turned to Anne. “Anne, I really do. But you have so much on your plate. I don’t want to add my insanity to it. And it’ll only be a few days. Just until I can sort out a shelter or something.” She turned back to me and the naked pain in her bright blue eyes almost undid me. “Then I’ll be out of your hair, Dylan. If that’s all right with you.”
Like hell was I letting this girl move out of my perfectly fine—and empty—spare room to sleep in a shelter. She’d have all her shit stolen inside a week.
But I played along and nodded. “I’m happy to have you. And like I said, Anne here will vouch for me, I’m sure, if you’re worried about anything.”
Indy’s eyes darted up to Anne still standing next to the booth.
After a beat, Anne nodded slowly. “I don’t know if you’ve seen their show, but they’re really good guys. They only beat on each other, and I think it’s been a hot minute since the last brawl.”
“Seriously?” I scowled up at Anne. “You get I’m trying to keep her from sleeping on the street tonight, right?”
“You get that I think she should stay with me, right?” Anne cocked a hip.
I huffed an annoyed breath. “Just tell her I’m not creepy or a criminal.Please.”
“Not sure it means much when you have to script what you want me to say.”
“Um, guys?” Indy waved a hand. “If you’re done bickering with each other, I should tell you that I’m not changing my mind. Besides, after living with my dad for almost a year, there’s not much that could surprise me.”
“Oh, kiddo.” Anne’s eyes sheened with tears. “I’m so sorry.”
Indy hitched a shoulder and poked at her stuffed French toast as she avoided everyone’s eyes.
Anne cleared her throat. “All right. Uncle.” She threw her hands in the air. “You win, Dylan. And Indy, he really is a good guy. Or at least he tries to be, sometimes he gets in his own way.”
“Thanks, I think?” Honestly, I couldn’t tell if that was a compliment. It definitely wasn’t a ringing endorsement. But judging by the look on Indy’s face, she found it somewhat comforting.
“And it’s only for a few days.” Indy lifted her palms. “I’ll be out of your hair by Friday. I promise.”
Yeah, sure. I smiled and nodded at her.
Little did she know, I had no intention of letting her run off to a shelter.
