“I think I’m going with this one,” Lizzie announces, handing over the hardback book she plans to read. “I think it’ll be perfect for the next book club.”
“Definitely! And I love the fact Vivian is going to make sure she has plenty of copies in stock of whichever book you want to read and discuss next.”
“I don’t understand. Why do you need a club to read books?” I ask, reaching for the closest stack and checking out the covers.
“Wouldn’t you like a group to share and talk about your favorite hobby?” Charli asks.
I shrug and slide the romance books back toward them. “Believe it or not, guys over the age of twenty don’t usually sit around and talk about sex.”
That comment earns me two sets of eye rolls and a snicker from my brother.
“You’re gross,” my sister argues.
“Why? Because sex is my favorite hobby? Sister, if it isn’t yours, they’re doing it wrong.” Realization hits me. “You know what? Never mind. You’re not allowed to have sex.”
“Oh my God,” she grumbles. “I’m not sixteen.”
“Still. Let’s just pretend you don’t have sex. Ever,” I mutter, taking a drink of my Pepsi with a splash of cherry and suddenly wishing it had some Jack in it.
“Oh, I have sex,” she sings.
“All right, friends, let’s change the subject before this turns into some family brawl worthy of The Jerry Springer Show. I’m gonna run these books upstairs, and then I’ll be back,” Lizzie informs us, placing another kiss on my twin’s lips before rebagging the books and taking them away.
“How was lunch?” I ask when my sister plops down beside me.
“Good,” she states, lifting the lid on the empty pizza box. “How was yours?”
“Mario makes the best pies,” I confirm.
“He does.”
Before I can even stop myself, I casually ask, “So, just you and Lizzie go?”
She slowly turns my way, and the look on her face lets me know she’s not buying what I’m selling. “Just ask instead of beating around the bush.”
“Just making conversation,” I mumble, taking another drink of my Pepsi.
Charli huffs out a deep breath. “You know Allison and Oaklee were there too or you wouldn’t be asking.
“How are they?”
My sister laughs. She actually laughs in my face. “What you really want to know is how Oaklee is doing, and I’m not going to give it to you. If you want to know, ask her.”
“Maybe I will.”
“Good,” she counters.
I don’t say anything else, just turn my attention to the TV. Cade gets Charli a drink, and before we know it, the regulars are showing up for their afternoon of hanging out, enjoying a drink, and watching TV. Of course, there’s a lot of gossiping going on down on that end of the bar, but I don’t pay them much attention.
My mind is focused on Oaklee.
On the fact there was something in my sister’s tone I can’t quite put my finger on.
I’m not sure what it means, but I do hope I run into the beautiful Oaklee sometime again soon.
Turns out, it’s the best part of my day.
CHAPTER
