Page 19 of Rooster

Just ready for the weekend.

Ronin:

Can’t disagree with you there.

Me:

So, is Saturday at six good with you?

Ronin:

Yeah, I should be able to work that out.

Me:

Great.

How do you feel about chicken and pasta?

Ronin:

As long as you’re there, I’m good with anything.

Me:

Okay. Great.

Saturday night. Chicken and pasta.

Ronin:

Looking forward to it.

I was smilingear to ear when I shoved my phone back into my purse. I thought my good mood had gone unnoticed until I heard Nathan ask, “What’s up with you?”

“Hmm?” I glanced up and found him standing across from me. “Oh, it’s nothing. I was just texting a friend.”

“A friend?”

“Yeah, a friend. You know, people have those.”

“Not you.” He’d had an attitude all night, and I had no idea why. He rolled his eyes and started into the kitchen as he grumbled, “It’s always Keeley or Ryan with you... I bet you were talking to some dude. That’s why you were smiling like that. Girls always smile when they’re talking to dudes.”

“Nathan.”

“What?” He stopped and turned to face me. “It’s not a big deal. You should be talking to dudes.”

“I should?”

“I don’t see why not.” He shrugged nonchalantly. “You’re alright looking. You’ll have plenty of guys who are into you.”

“Oh, you think so?”

“Yeah. You’re a catch.”

“So, you’re okay with me dating?”

“Yeah, and to be honest, I kinda already figured you’d been going out and just not telling us.” Another shrug, and he turned and started over to the fridge. “I don’t care who you talk to or go out with. Just make sure he’s not a douchebag like Dad.”

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