“Fine,” I take the box on top that he’s eaten most of anyway. and set it by itself on his suite’s kitchen counter. “You can have this box, there are too many eaten to bring with us. And you’re damn lucky I made extra.”
A few minutes later, we’re downstairs and being whisked away in his Lincoln Town Car Limo. After a few quick directions to the driver, we’re on our way.
When the limo finally stops it’s in front of a bingo hall in a strip mall on Riley Street. I grab the remaining boxes, wrestle them away from Chase, and open the limo door. Chase opens his.
“Oh no,” I object, “I’m going in alone. No friends can know about us, remember?”
He smirks at me. “Is this still because I’m a tourist? Aren’t we passed all that?”
“No,” I shut the door.
I carry the boxes to the door. Somebody sees me and opens it. And then I’m inside. Immediately, I’m hit by a wall of sound. Music blares, alcohol flows, and the place is loud because it’s packed.
Fi’s charity events are always beloved and well attended. In fact, she has single-handedly managed to keep me afloat though my toughest times the last few months with events like these and I am forever grateful.
I weave my way carefully through the old wooden tables as I make my way to the bar in the back. The floor is tacky on the bottom of my shoes for some reason, and that’s concerning. But the crowd is loud, boisterous, and fun.
Everything a person wants on a Friday night in this town. If Chase weren’t waiting for me in the car, I’d stay.
Out of nowhere, Fi finds me and pulls me into a hug so tight I nearly drop all the boxes. I lean into it, a big smile on my face.
“Kaylee! Thank goodness, your chocolates are always the hot item on the auction block. You’re going to stay, right? Drinks are on me.” She winks like that makes it a done deal. Normally, it would be.
I feel bad turning her down. “I can’t tonight.”
She raises a suspicious eyebrow. “Hot date?”
“No way, you know me. Still in a rut,” I lie as we walk together to the bar and I set down the boxes.
Fi frowns. “Well, if you’re busy, doesn’t that mean you landed your kitchen crush? I already told you, no man can resist you in that red bikini. That’s why I bought it for you. You’re welcome.”
That makes me laugh and now that I set the boxes down, I give her a proper hug and kiss on the cheek. “Thank you, Fi. You’re the best.”
Then I see the stack of pizzas and my stomach rumbles. I’m lucky that I’m surrounded by loud music or I’m sure the loud rumbling coming from my insides would have startled everyone around me.
“I don’t know,” she says, still studying my face. “Something’s up with you. You sure you can’t stay? Can I at least walk you out?”
That’s when I know for sure that she isn’t going to let it go. If she walks me out, then she’ll see the limo. And Chase.
I take a deep breath and prepare to tell another lie. “Okay, I can’t fool you. I have a thing. But it’s not a date.” Not exactly. It’s more like a fake engagement. I lean in to whisper to her, which is totally unnecessary given the noise level around us, but who doesn’t love a secret? “It’s new, and I’m not sure whether it’s going to turn into anything. That awkward stage, you know?”
“Well, I hope it works out. You’ll be at lunch tomorrow, right?”
“Yup, I’ll be there for sure. Good luck with the auction.” Grateful that went well, I wind my way back through the tables and the throngs of people and back toward the exit.
Once outside, the heat hits me again in a blistering, humid wave. I walk to the limo and open up the door while I breathe a sigh of relief. The last thing I want to do is let Fi down or have her find out I’m lying to her.
As soon as I shut the limo door and slide back onto the baby smooth leather seat and click in my seatbelt, my stomach gives off another loud growl.
That brings a smirk from Chase. “Hungry?”
“Starving. Aren’t you?”
“I could eat,” he grins. “You’re the local, what do you have in mind?”
It’s my turn to smirk. “Driver, please set a course for Banana Burger.” That brings a worried stare from both Chase and the driver.
I decide to tackle the driver first, metaphorically speaking. “Turn left on the main road and go a mile and a half, then turn right on Wabash. It’ll be on the right. There’s a giant banana on top of the building. Trust me, you can’t miss it.”
“You’re serious?” Chase asks as the limo driver dutifully speeds off.
“Absolutely, yes. I need a good burger.”
He makes a face. “You did say that the burgers aren’t actually made out of bananas, right?”
“No, that would be weird.”
“Hey, this whole thing is your idea.”
“Look, the burgers are just regular burgers. Well, no, they’re really great burgers. The best in the city if you ask me. And you don’t have to get bananas on them. But if you let go of your preconceived notions and you’re adventurous enough, you can get sliced bananas on top of your burger. Don’t give me that face, it’s actually quite good. You know, the sweet and the salty together. It can be quite the combo. We talked about this, but we’re like a real couple now almost, and you don’t listen anymore.”
Chase chuckles at me. “I guess you’re right,” he concedes. “I am hungry, and I could use a great burger. In my defense, I really did think you were kidding earlier. Do you eat it with the bananas on top?”
“Sometimes I do. And sometimes I feel like a regular burger.”
“Well, what about tonight?”
