There’s no way in hell we’re going to make it through the week without Lexi thinking there’s more going on than there actually is. Fake it ’til you make it, right? I can totally do that. It was my motto the last couple of years of my marriage.
“Mom and Peter are being really awkward.”
Those are the first words out of my sweet daughter’s mouth as soon as we get to the table Miles has saved for us.
“That’s normal.” Miles waves her off. “They’ve been that way since we were kids.”
“I don’t thi—” She stops mid-sentence when she notices my glare. I don’t understand why she’s so insistent.
She’s told me multiple times it’s okay for me to date. I guess she saw more of mine and her father’s crumbling marriage than I thought. Kids are too perceptive, and that’s probably what’s she sensing between me and Peter. Too bad it’s not happening. Especially not with Peter.
“What’s good to eat here?” I ask as we sit down.
“Everything. I’m pretty sure I’ve tried every meal on the menu. Seriously, you can’t go wrong.”
We look over the menu as someone from the waitstaff sets down three glasses in front of us. My brother knows us well enough to order our drinks for us.
“Are you ready to order?”
“Sure. I’ll have the cheese enchiladas with queso.” I don’t want anything too heavy. Nerves about starting my new job tomorrow are starting to set in.
“I’ll have the beef fajitas with corn tortillas, please.” Lexi says.
After Miles places his order, Lexi gathers up the menus and hands them over. She starts to pull out her phone before remembering the rule about no phones during dinner.
“How are things at the ranch? Did y’all have any damage or issues?” Someone has to have better luck than we have.
“No damage. A couple of the horses got out and we had to round them up. Otherwise, things are good. I think Donovan is getting ready to hire a few more people.”
“Wait, that is your boss’s name?” Lexi asks.
“No.” I shake my head. “That’s his last name. But that’s what everyone called him in high school when he was on the football team.”
“Ah, so it’s a sports kid thing.”
“Pretty much.” Miles shrugs. “But if you want to work in the summer, I’m sure he’d give you something to do.”
“I’m good.” Lexi draws out. “Oh, there’s Abby. Can I go say hi?”
“Sure.” I watch her rush across the restaurant to her friend. At least, she’s settling in. “Peter was right. Lexi hit it off with Eric’s daughter.”
“Speaking of, how are things really going with staying at Peter’s?”
“Fine, why would you ask?”
“Because you sounded stressed when I called earlier.” He takes a drink of his tea and levels me with a stare. “Plus, I know about you having a crush on him when we were kids. I just want to make sure things aren’t weird between the two of you.”
Son of a bitch. Does Peter know about that, too? There’s no way. He would have made a smartass comment about it. Wouldn’t he? I honestly don’t know. Even though he’s the same in a lot of ways, he’s grown up a lot.
“No, it’s fine. I’m shocked he knows how to cook.”
“Yeah, he’s fed me on more than one occasion.”
“Don’t y’all have family meals at the ranch?” I could have sworn he told me that when he called.
“Yes, but sometimes I want to hang out with people other than who I work with. Peter knows I can’t cook for shit and always feeds me when we hang out. He’s a really good guy.”
I know he is. He always has been. The last thing I need is my big brother solidifying it. “Yeah, yeah. He’s alright.”
