“The question is, who gets priority? My baby brother or my best friend?”
If only he’d stop referring to Kian as his ‘baby brother’. It makes me feel like a cradle snatcher, even though Kian is only three years younger than me.
“That’s a tough one,” Halle says.
I want to crawl under the table and disappear.
“Are you two thinking of tying the knot?” Kian asks in that butter-wouldn’t-melt voice.
“Fair point,” Rufus says. “Well made.”
Kian smiles.
The buzzer vibrates on the table.
I grab it and stand. “I’ll get the food.”
“I’ll help.”
Kian follows me to the till, where four metal plates with our pizzas are waiting.
“Are you okay?” He puts his hand on the small of my back.
“Yeah.”
“I’m sorry Rufus is being a wind-up merchant.”
“I should be used to it by now. I am used to it.”
“But?”
“It’s not Rufus.”
Kian frowns. “Then what’s wrong?”
“Me. I’m being an arse.”
“I’m not sure I understand.”
“I’m being selfish and possessive.”
“Come again?” Kian rubs his forehead. “Have we been sitting at different tables all this time? Because I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
I pick up two of the plates. “I’ll explain later.”
“Umm, okay. Make sure you do.” He collects the other two plates, and we take them to the table.
“Do Mum and Dad know you’re seeing Jett?” Rufus asks Kian.
“No. Not yet.”
“Halle and I are having dinner with them tomorrow. You should join us.”
Kian glances at me. “I’m not sure that would be fair.”
Rufus juts his lower lip out. “On who?”
“Halle.” Kian smiles at her. “I wouldn’t want to steal your meet-the-parents moment.”
