Page 46 of Embers of You
“What if we all went to dinner at some point,” my dad suggests out of the blue and I jolt at the surprise of his suggestion.
Ma on the other hand, is already beaming at the idea. “That would be so nice, we haven’t all gone to dinner in…well since before you moved.”
The reminder has my dad’s posture stiffening and even though this is clearly his idea to do what I suggested, I can’t help but think this may end up being a terrible idea.
“You can bring that sweet girl, Sutton,” Ma says to me, and I grin at her name, but hate that I’m going to have to shoot the idea down.
“I don’t think she would agree to come to dinner with us, Ma.”
“Oh, you don’t invite her, then. I will.”
I chuckle. “You can try, she’s more likely to say yes to you.”
“Perfect, it’s settled then. One condition.” We both wait to see what her condition is about to be, though I know no matter what it is, I’m going to agree. “I get to pick the restaurant.”
I endup at the grooming salon the next day when I drive by heading to the grocery store, and see Sutton’s Jeep outside. It only takes me a second to decide to turn into the parking lot that sits between the fire station and the salon.
When I walk inside I’m immediately greeted by that bird barking at me,“Hello.”
“Hello,” I tell my fan club president.
“One second,” the familiar voice calls out from further inside, and I regret not bringing Duke with me. But I really wasn’t planning on stopping in here, and most people frown upon a dog at the grocery store. Plus he was sleeping on a bed next to the couch at my parent’s house when I left.
As soon as Sutton steps out into the entry area and sees me, her face falls in shock. “What’re you doing here?”
“You haven’t replied to my last few texts.”
She looks down to hide the way her face floods with color, but I catch it. I also know it doesn’t help when the bird says,“Hot guy, Jameson.”
“Jerry Lee, I’m opening a window for you,” Sutton threatens and I smother a laugh.
“Since I knew this would get ignored like the rest, I decided to come in person to invite you to dinner.”
She sighs. “Jameson, I’ve already told you?—”
“I know.” I almost remind her that she’s turned me down, but also was the one to initiate our last encounter. The one that ended with her coming on my lap while I came in my pants like a teenager, but I have a feeling if I said anything about that she would kick me out. “I’m not inviting you for myself.”
She gives me a curious look.
“My ma wants you to come with us.”
“Why?” she snaps suddenly.
“She likes you.”
“She hardly met me.”
“Must just be a Turner thing to like you then.” I smirk and she shakes her head and rolls her eyes.
“You’re really persistent, you know that?”
“I know.”
“Why does she want me to come with?”
“I already told you.”
Sutton groans. “I don’t think it’s a good idea, I don’t really do family stuff.”
