“You coming in, Noah?” Lucky opened the door and peeked out at me with a smile.
“Yeah, sorry. Just got distracted.”
“So what’s this I hear about a dinner date?” Her voice was excited and happy, and I knew that at least I had gotten one thing right.
“Remember that waitress at the restaurant?”
“The one that didn’t like you?”
“Yeah,” I laughed. “Well she’s coming over to dinner tonight.”
“Tonight!” Her jaw fell open and I could see a million questions in her eyes. “Come inside, we need to decide what to cook.”
“I’m sure whatever you make will be good.” I followed her inside and into the kitchen.
“Whatever I decide to cook?” She laughed and shook her head. “You Beaumont brothers are really incorrigible.” She slipped her arm through mine and smiled up at me. “There is no way I’m cooking the whole dinner tonight. But I’ll help.”
“Please, Lucky.” I gave her a pleading smile and she shook her head.
“Nope. Anyways, it will be more romantic if you cook most of it. Right, Zane?” She looked over at him and he rolled his eyes.
“I have no clue.” He shrugged. “I don’t care who cooks the food as long as it tastes good.”
“Zane.” Lucky frowned at him. “So I guess you don’t want me to cook anymore.”
“No, no, no. That’s not what I meant,” he backtracked quickly and I chuckled.
“Now, now, children. No need to bicker.” I looked down at Lucky and saw the mirth in her eyes as she beamed up at me.
“What about steak?”
“That sounds good.”
“Is she vegetarian, though?” She suddenly frowned.
“I have no idea.” I shrugged. “Should I call and ask her?”
“No, no.” She pursed her lips. “I’m sure she would have said if she was.”
“Who is she?” Zane interrupted us with a confused look. “Who are you two talking about?”
“Robin.” Lucky and I said at the same time and laughed.
“And Robin is who?” Zane looked just as confused, and I caught him glaring at the intersection of my arm with Lucky’s.
“The girl from the restaurant last week.” Lucky detached herself from me and walked over and gave him a big kiss and put her arms around his neck. “I would have thought you would have remembered her, the way you were going on about her.”
“The restaurant?” He kissed her back and ran his hands up and down her back. “Oh, the bitch?” He looked at me in surprise. “I know I joked around and told you she wanted you, but I was just joking, bro, no need to follow up on it.”
“I totally asked her out because you told me she wanted me.” I rolled my eyes at him and then looked at Lucky. “How did he get you? You seem like too smart a girl to fall for my dumbass brother.”
“Watch your mouth.” Zane grinned at me. “She recognized an awesome guy when she saw one.”
“I did?” Lucky blinked. “Where is he?”
“See what you’ve done now, Noah?” He tickled Lucky and she squealed as she tried to get away from him.
“Stop,” she cried out as she laughed. “I need to help Noah.”
“See what you have to look forward to?” Zane pulled Lucky towards him and held her in his arms and kissed her head.
“Doesn’t look so bad.”
“It’s not so bad. She’s not so bad. I think I’ll keep her.”
“Really, Zane Beaumont?” She glared up at him.
“Uh oh. I better leave you guys to it, before she decides to call off the wedding.” Zane made a face and I laughed.
“Have you guys set a date yet?”
“No.” Lucky shook her head. “I can’t decide if we should get married before or after the babies are born.”
“I say we fly to Vegas tomorrow and just get it over with.” Zane grinned. “We could have Elvis serenade us.”
“Yeah, why not?” Lucky rolled her eyes. “Idiot.” She mumbled under her breath and winked at me. “Now let’s talk dinner. How’s about steak, herb-roasted potatoes and a big salad?”
“If I get to make the salad,” I laughed. “Or grill the steak. I have no idea how to make herb-roasted potatoes.”
“So do you like Robin?” Lucky looked at me quizzically. “Like a lot?”
“Lucky, he just met the girl. Give him a chance to get to know her before you have us at a double wedding.”
“I do think I like her.” I nodded slowly. “At least, what I know of her so far seems pretty great.”
“So this may be the first of many dates?” Lucky looked excited. “Like we could go on a double date sometime soon?”
“Slow down, there.” I laughed, and watched as Zane gave me a look as if to say ‘I told you so.’ “Let’s get through this dinner first.”
“She’s very beautiful.” Lucky stared at me. “I mean, she was a bit of a shrew, but she’s beautiful.”
“She apologized to me.” I saw them look at me in surprise. “I saw her the other day when I was running. She’s nice, nicer than that day in the restaurant.”
“It’s the waitresses these days. They think they can talk to you any way that they want.” Zane laughed as Lucky hit him in the arm. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Ass.” Lucky shook her head at him. “But I’m glad you like her. I think she seemed pretty nice.”
“Yeah. I think I’m willing to give it a chance. See where it goes.” I was surprised at the words as they came out of my mouth. I hadn’t realized until that moment that I really was interested in seeing how everything went. “I think it’s time for me to move on with my life.” I smiled at them both briefly. “Now, shall we get cooking?”
“Yes, Zane go and get the …” Lucky started talking, but I was distracted by my ringing phone.
“Excuse me.” I pulled my phone out of my pocket. “I hope that’s not Robin calling to cancel already.” I joked and then looked at the screen. All the blood drained out of my face as I saw the name flashing on my phone. It was Skylar. My heart stopped for a moment as I stared at the phone. Questions ran through my brain as I hurried out of the kitchen to answer the call.
“Hello.” I whispered into the phone, all thoughts of Robin dropping out of my mind. “Skylar, is that you?”
Chapter 7
“Skylar,” I said again, but then I heard a click and there was dead silence on the other side. I immediately tried to call the number back again, but it just rang and rang without going to voicemail. “Damn it,” I cursed under my breath. My stomach was in knots and I wasn’t sure how I was going to continue on with the night. It was like life didn’t want me to move on just yet. Maybe it hadn’t been a good idea to invite Robin over for dinner. It had been an impetuous invitation and now I was regretting it. I tried calling the number again and nearly threw my phone across the room when she didn’t answer. I was worried. I knew that she wouldn’t call me unless it was important. Unless it was a set-up. I closed my eyes and leaned against the wall, not knowing what to do. Part of me thought I should just catch a plane to Orlando and then drive to Palm Bonita and do whatever I could to get to Skylar.
“Noah,” Zane walked out of the kitchen and stared at me with a look of worry on his face. “You okay? Who was that?”