He really was too good for me.
Chapter FourteenNate
I’d survived Weiner Night. I’d successfully survived Weiner Night with my girlfriend.
She didn’t break up with me. She’d been coming around to the idea—I could tell. She’d seemed more comfortable with me last night. Like she’d finally relaxed enough to simply enjoy being there. Enjoy being with me.
When I checked my social media while drinking coffee, I spotted Riley’s picture of her sandaled feet near the bonfire with a tagline, “Summer nights with good friends.” The photo was strategically taken to where the bonfire was the central focus, and dark blurs consisted of the people. I wondered what her followers would think if they saw the full picture.
Nascar Jim taking off his shirt. Sam and Elise arguing over beer pong. Johnny trying to get chummy with Gunrunner Gabe. Marni and Dean making out in the middle of everyone. (That lipstick really did last from what I could see.)
Riley had a hard time turning her mind off and not thinking four steps ahead. While I’d thought she was relaxing at the bonfire, she’d been focused on getting a picture-perfect shot. She didn’t realize that, in thinking ten steps ahead, she was missing out on the life right in front of her. Right now, she was so focused on creating an alternate life, she hadn’t bothered to do any of the things she pretended to do.
Which was why I’d been especially happy that I was able to talk her into a date again tonight. She’d been hesitant, as if she were trying to summon up her reasons why we wouldn’t work. I used her pause as an assent.
I needed my sister’s help again. I really needed to drive over and see her in Riverly, but it would be a little difficult to explain what I was doing in Burnside.
Nate: A) Sushi B) Food carts C) Voodoo Donuts D) Melting Pot.
Nola: Are we deciding which one we should eat at first when I come to Portland?
Nate: Noooooo. Which of these is a good casual date option?
Nola: What kind of car does she drive?
Nate: Jeep.
Nola: Voodoo Donuts.
Nate: You can tell that by the car?
Nola: No, but I thought it'd be fun to ask.
Nate: You're the most annoying sister in the world. I hope you're happy with yourself.
Nola: I am. Besides, no donuts or food carts without me, so unless you're planning on a third wheel...
Nate: I never understood that saying. Tricycles run wonderfully with a third wheel.
Nola: And you're fundamentally strange. But I like you.
Nate: I like you too. I'll save you a donut.
Nate: P.S. Dad says to tell you he loves you.
I didn’t want to give Riley time to change her mind, so I hurried over to her trailer and knocked on the door. Wren opened it, looking only mildly annoyed to see me.
“Why the long face?”
“I swear, if you make some joke about a horse, I’m going to punch you in the throat,” she promised.
I grimaced. “Bad day?”
She sighed before she admitted, “Got stood up by a boy.”
“Ah, I see.” I walked past Wren so that I could yell in the trailer. I couldn’t see Riley anywhere, so I had to assume she was in the bathroom. “Well, let’s go, kids! We’re eating donuts.”
“What, me too?” Wren looked at me like I’d lost my mind.
“Of course you too.”
“Ew, nooo.” Wren pulled a face. “I’ll stay home. You two have fun.”
“I don’t think so.” I ruffled the top of her perfectly wavy hair.
She smacked my hand and narrowed her eyes at me. She looked scarily like Riley in that moment.
“The donuts at the shop in town are disgusting.”
I shook my head at her and gave her my crazy eyes. “I didn’t say we were going to eat the donuts at the shop in town, did I?”
She frowned. “You didn’t?”
“Almost ready!” Riley called from the bathroom at the back of the trailer.
“We’re going to Voodoo Donuts in Portland.”
Wren smiled. “Well, why didn’t you start with that?”
She grabbed her purse and headed outside. That took a lot less convincing than I thought it would. I would have preferred some more time alone with Riley, but I couldn’t leave Wren behind when her boyfriend had stood her up.
Riley stepped out of the bathroom. Her hair was braided down the side, and she looked summery in a light-orange pantsuit thing. She had on a pair of high heels with lots of straps on them.
“I like your cork shoes.” Ugh, smooth compliment, Nate. Way to remind her you’re not stuck in middle school.
“They’re called wedges, but thanks.” She smiled at my discomfort then glanced around. “Where’s Wren?”
“She’s already in the car.”
Her eyes softened, and she beamed at me. “Thank you. She’s been really down lately. I’ve been worried. And you actually convinced her to come. How did you manage that?”
“I mentioned Portland and Voodoo Donuts.”
“Oh, I see. Well, thank you.” She stopped next to me and tilted her chin toward mine, kissing the corner of my mouth.
Her soft perfume drifted around me. I breathed in deeply and reached out a hand to pull her close when she tried to pull back. I leaned down and kissed her full on the mouth.
“Don’t think you can get away with those little kisses,” I whispered against her lips.
She smiled and rested her hand against my chest. “Maybe I was testing you.”
“Testing me?”
“To see how much self-control you have.”
“None,” I answered quickly. “I have none where you are concerned.”
I bent down and kissed her again, savoring the moment. The door slammed open.
“Do I have to drag—oh, geez, put a sock on the door next time,” Wren said sarcastically.
Riley chuckled as she pulled back. “Next time, Wren. I’ll use one of yours.”
“Ugh. We’re going to need a bigger house if you two keep dating.” She turned around and marched out of the trailer.
I bent down to kiss
