Nova chats the entire drive over to the restaurant.The car doesn’t even have time to heat up before he parks out front.
I climb out of the car, and Luca hurries to open the front door as we step into the warmth of the building.He brushes against me.“Chinese food for our first date, huh?”he teases into my ear.
I can’t even say it wasn’t my idea because it was, but also, no one else was making a decision.They both left it up to me.“This isn’t a date,” I whisper a little too loudly, and Nova glances over her shoulder at us.
“Oh gosh, did I invite myself along when I shouldn’t have?”Nova quips.
Luca and I both answer in unison, but he shouts, “yes,” and I answer with a resounding, “no.”
“I’ve only ever seen you studying with Luca,” Nova says, clearly changing the subject.She doesn’t offer to leave, and I’m grateful.I’d also be worried if she tried to wander back to the house in the cold dark of night.
We grab a booth, Nova sitting on one side, and I climb into the opposite, which apparently gives Luca the opportunity to slide in right beside me.Maybe I should have opted to sit next to Nova, but I suppose if he doesn’t try any funny business, it’ll be all right.
“You don’t go to any of the boys’ hockey games?”Nova asks.
I shake my head.“I’ve never been to a hockey game.”
“Never?You’ve watched a game on television, though, right?”His eyes are wide, like I might have just traumatized the poor guy.Maybe he’s beginning to realize that it could never work between us.
“Never,” I say and shrug.“I’m not really into sports.Sorry.”I offer a faint smile, meeting his intense stare.
“No sports at all?What about the Olympics?”
That wins a smile.“I watch some of the Olympics when it’s on, but that doesn’t count.”
“What about the Super Bowl or the Stanley Cup Playoffs?”
“Boring.”
“Would you ever attend one of my games?”Luca asks.
I inhale sharply.It hadn’t even crossed my mind.“You want me to watch you get your butt kicked by a bunch of guys?”I smile, trying to lighten the mood.“I suppose I could be down for that.Will there be popcorn?”
“I like her,” Nova says, grinning at Luca.“Can we keep her?”
I snort with laughter and then cover my face with my hand, humiliated.
“Oh, that’s adorable,” Luca says, nudging me.“Don’t be embarrassed.”
We give the waitress our drink orders and then migrate to the buffet before coming back to take a seat at the booth.Luca is still grabbing food while Nova and I have a minute of girl time alone to chat.
“What’s the deal with your brother?”
“What do you mean?”Nova asks.
“He’s a cute guy, clearly has the girls pining for him.What’s his deal?”
“Oh!”Nova’s eyes widen.“Do you mean, does he have a girlfriend?No, I don’t think so.It’s been a while since I’ve seen him hook up with anyone.”
“A while,” I repeat, taking a slow bite of food, trying to digest her words.
How long is a while?A week, a month?Is it just a dry spell for him?
Luca brings his plate heaping with food to the table and slides into the booth beside me.“What are we ladies talking about?”he asks, smiling at the two of us.
“Harper was just asking about your deal.”
“My deal?”Luca says, nodding slowly, eyes raised, like he’s getting all the secrets of the universe from his sister.He shifts and stares at me.“You could have just asked me directly.My deal is I’m single, for now.”
