Page 57 of Starry Skies, Stolen Kisses, and My Best Friend's Brother

“I have a tough stomach.”

The pizza arrives then, and we dig in.The scent of freshly baked dough and savory spices wafts up, and my stomach growls in anticipation.In between bites, she tells me about how she’s studying the connection between gut health and mental health.It’s actually pretty fascinating.

The door opens again, and Mae and Abi walk in, followed by Jonathan and another guy.Mae’s dressed casually in a tight white tank top and very short cut-offs that show off her incredible legs.Her hair flows in waves down her shoulders, and I want to be the guy sitting next to her in a booth.She shifts, and I see she’s wearing the Capricorn necklace I bought for her, so there’s that, at least.

Mae gives the guy a smile that I thought was only reserved for me, and he sits closer to her than I like.

“And I’ve lost you again.”Suzanne’s voice takes on an edge.

“Sorry.I’m trying to listen, but it is pretty technical.”

“And I can get lost in my work too.I’m sorry.”She softens again.

“It’s okay.Tell me something else about you.Not work related.”

“Well, I foster dogs in my spare time.”A glimmer of excitement flashes across her face.

“Really?I have a Doberman.”

I swear a grimace falls across her face, but she quickly composes herself.“A rescue, I assume,” she says as if to mask her bitterness with casual curiosity.I’m not sure why she’s upset.

“No, I got her as a puppy.From a reputable breeder, not a puppy mill.”

“Thousands of dogs get killed or abandoned every year, and you decided to buy one that was bred on purpose?”She throws her napkin down and pushes her plate away.“I’m sorry.I can’t be here with you anymore.There aren’t many things that are an absolute no go for me, but this is one of them.I’ll meet you at the car where I trust you’ll get me back to the resort.Or maybe you’ll just abandon me for a woman with blonde hair instead of brown.”

I have no earthly idea how to respond to that.I never knew people felt so vehemently against purebred dogs or blondes.Suzanne would not be happy if she knew Mom studs out her collies to make more collie puppies.

“I will not abandon you.Let me pay, and I’ll drive you back to your cabin.”

She nods stiffly and rushes from the restaurant.

Patty, our waitress, takes her abandoned seat.“Didn’t go so well, huh?”

I shake my head and pull out a hundred.Patty is Mom’s age and one of her good friends.She owns the restaurant but enjoys waiting tables on busy nights.“Apparently, I don’t have the right kind of dog for her.She’s against buying purebreds.”

Patty creases her eyebrows.“That’s silly.”

“You’re telling me.”

“Let me get you change.”She stands.

“Keep it,” I say.

She cocks her head.“Seth…”

“Just keep an eye on Abi for me.Her date seems…handsy.”

She glances over at their table.“Okay.Can do.Hope your next date goes a little better.”

“You and me both.”

I’ve known Patty since I was a little boy.By tomorrow morning, everyone in town will know that I had a bad date.I hated that everyone knew my business when I was a teenager.It made me embarrassed when people in town would give us handouts because they knew we needed them, even though many of them were in the same position.They just didn’t have eight mouths to feed.Patty brought us dinner from the diner on more than one occasion.

Then again, I’m not just another random face.In the city, no one knew who I was.Even the barista who got my coffee every day.If I had found myself in need in any of the places I called home over the last sixteen years, and if my money was gone, there would’ve been no one.

But here, Patty would watch Abi even without my change.Hell, half the people at this restaurant would chase the guy off with pitchforks if they thought he was being inappropriate with her.

I rub at my chest.

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