Page 38 of The Pinkie Pact

We weren't going to get into any trouble here, right? I mean, what could possibly go wrong?

I was super happy when Christina gestured for us to take a seat at the table. No wasting time with a little appetizer chit chat or anything. Just straight to dinner and then we were outta here. Kara shot me a glance, and I knew she was thinking the same thing.

"I figure we're all hungry so we might as well get to it," Christina said as she took her place opposite Kara while I sat across from Kieran.

Kieran held up his wine glass and paused, probably thinking about what kind of toast to make, but Kara beat him to it, quoting word for word a very confusing riddle from theLord of the Rings, implying that she perhaps didn't like some of the people sitting at the table.

Kieran glared at her, but Christina only smiled as we all drank some of the perfectly chilled white wine.

"I never quite understood what Bilbo meant by that," I said, realizing I probably should have just changed the subject. But oh well.

We spent the next ten minutes dissecting it... well, Kieran, Kara, and I. Christina was quiet, wearing her frozen smile as we passed out the food and began to eat. Maybe she'd never seen or read theLord of the Ringsseries.

Kieran glanced at me. "So I take it you've seen the movies?"

"Of course. I actually read the books first. My dad insisted. The books are always better I think."

"I couldn't agree more. But the movies are pretty fantastic."

"They really are. I've seen them a ridiculous amount of times."

I noticed Christina watching me, her eyes slightly narrowed. Was my attraction to Kieran written all over my face? God, I hoped not. I was pretty good at hiding things, but maybe this was too hard to hide.

"This chicken is really good. What kind of marinade did you use?" I asked Christina, trying to draw her into the conversation.

She looked surprised. "Me? Oh, I didn't make it. Kieran does all the cooking."

"Oh," I said, not sure what to say, especially because I felt like a sexist asshole.

"Kieran's not bad in the kitchen," Kara jumped in. "That might be the only thing I like about him."

He shook his head at her while Kara and I both laughed. Christina's phone started to make constant noises, and after apologizing, she went to the counter to check it. I noticed a frown on her face as Kieran topped off our glasses. Kara and I took a moment to fill up our plates again because the food was actually delicious, and I could see why Kieran's offer of a home-cooked meal had persuaded Kara to put up with this torture.

"Guys, I'm really sorry. But I have to go," Christina said, coming back to the table with her phone in her hand.

"What's wrong?" Kieran asked.

"Libby and Adam broke up, and she's hysterical." I could see the surprise on Kieran's face. "She really needs someone right now. So I'm going over there."

"Take an Uber?" Kieran said.

"Of course." She typed quickly into her phone. "I'm going to spend the night with her. I just need to..."

I glanced at Kara to see what she thought of this strange turn, but she just kept shoveling rice into her face. And of course, she hadn't touched her salad. So I guessed we were staying?

Christina disappeared into the bedroom, and I caught Kieran's eye. "Should we leave?" I asked him.

"No way," Kara said. "Kieran and Christina can leave, but I'm not done eating."

Kieran gave her that brotherly smirk I was getting used to seeing. "No way am I going over to Libby's," he said in a quiet voice.

Covering my mouth with my hand, I tried not to laugh. The last thing Christina needed to hear was laughter around the table.

She rushed out of the bedroom, a small bag in her hand, as Kieran stood up and walked closer to her. "Well, good luck? Let me know if you need anything," he said.

With a sigh, she grabbed some keys from a little shelf by the door. "I'll see you tomorrow night."

No kiss, no hug, no anything. She just walked out the door without even saying anything else. I supposed it was admirable that she was so concerned about her friend, and if I was being honest, I was glad she was gone.

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