Page 41 of Without You

He throws a cheeky smile in my direction and I shoot him a subliminal message that lets him know he can expect a punch to the nuts later. Meanwhile, Katie’s face flames bright red and her eyes go as big as saucers. Chad chuckles behind me, muttering something about Johnny needing to wear a nut cup to work for a while.

“Something wrong, B?” Johnny asks, not giving a shit.

I don’t even reply, I just roll my eyes.

“Anyway! Thanks again. I mean it. I’d love to order pizza or Chinese or something. You guys free for that?”

“Johnny and I have plans,” Chad says, grabbing him by the forearm and tugging him away from Katie. “But thanks, anyway. We were happy to help. Have a good night!”

He ushers Johnny out the door before we have a chance to even say good bye.

“I’m sorry about Johnny. He’s…”

“Johnny?”

“Yeah,” I sigh. “I love him. He’s one of the best guys out there.”

“But, he’s his own brand.”

“Exactly,” I say with a wink. “Anyway, are you all set? Need anything?” I’d love to stay and have dinner with her again but I don’t want to overstay my welcome. She’d invited the three of us to stay for dinner, not only me.

“Oh. No, I’m good.” She’s disappointed. I can see it and I did that. I won’t allow it, though.

“Then you’re good to grab some dinner?”

She bites her bottom lip. “I was thinking of just ordering in?”

“Works for me. You said pizza or Chinese?”

“They were just options.”

“Uh, Benton doesn’t really have anymore options than that. If you want delivery we’re going to have to do pizza. If you want to take a short drive, we can pick up some orange chicken.”

“Well, I have been craving some orange chicken and beef and broccoli. Some egg rolls and crab rangoon.”

“Anything else?”

“Garlic chicken? Noodles? Fried rice? Maybe something with mushrooms?”

“I love your appetite,” I tell her honestly.

“I know. I’m ridiculous. I love food!” she cries out. “I can’t help it. My parents used to say I had a bottomless pit in my stomach, and I think they were right. My sister ate like a bird and then came me.”

“Hey, I said I love it. I’m serious, too. I’ll order a bunch of entrees, sides, and appetizers. Then I’ll take you for a drive because I want to show you the new shop. Then we’ll grab some food. We’ll come back here. Light a fire outside. Eat like gluttonous monsters. Make a night out of it.”

“Sounds perfect.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“All right then. It’s a date.”

“A date, huh?” she asks, a big smile on her face.

“A date. I have a feeling that since you start your final month of school in two days, it’s going to be the last time I have a chance to have your full attention and I’m kind of selfish that way.”

“Who says I’m going to give you my full attention?”

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