“Oh, Jack wants to catch up for dinner later,” I told them as I read the text and replied “sure, you pick the place.”
“Well I’m actually glad that you’re getting along with him now. He was definitely making your life pretty hellish before, so it’s good that he’s cooled it and you can have a real relationship now. I mean, he’s still your brother, so he’s still going to annoy you, but honestly, I can’t imagine life without my brothers, as annoying as they are. I’d still much rather have them than not.”
“We’ll have to see how long this truce between Jack and I lasts then. I’m still not convinced that he isn’t going to change his mind and decide he hates me tomorrow.”
“No, he won’t. I bet it’s because of that douchebag Oliver. When he found you, his protective instincts reared. Even if you’re not his real sister, you’re still family now, and I think that made him realize that.”
“You’re probably right, Annie, I told her. Anyway, I’m going to have to make it a quick dinner because I am totally going to be back home for The Apprentice later.”
“I can’t believe you like that show.”
“Hey, I’m American. The worse the reality TV, the more I’m automatically going to like it. Besides, hating all the contestants and wanting them to fail is half the fun.”
Annie rolled her eyes and turned up the difficulty on her elliptical while Tina laughed on the other side of her.
*
Instead of heading home after the gym I showered there, then got dressed and went to meet Jack for dinner.
Our first real date.
It wasn’t like it was my first date ever. But the way I was super nervous about it, it might as well have been.
It was stupid to be so nervous about a date. I knew it was. And was it really a first date when you’d already had sex with the guy twice? Maybe the horseback riding was actually our first date. These thoughts and more passed through my head as I overanalyzed everything at the same time as trying to stay relaxed and not completely freak out about it.
What was wrong with me?
As soon as I saw Jack, already waiting for me at the little pub we decided to have dinner at – a nice, casual place for a brother and sister to meet after class – all my fears vanished. He was leaning back in a booth, checking his phone, a beer already in front of him, not a care in the world. A single wisp of perfect hair fell across his forehead, which he absentmindedly brushed away with a finger, and my legs began to feel weak as I remembered the pleasure those same fingers brought me when they rubbed against my naked skin.
“Hey,” I greeted him, sliding into the booth opposite, and he shot me one of those grins that just made my insides melt with desire.
“Hey,” he replied. “I had other plans, but they got messed up, so I figured maybe you’d want to have dinner.”
“You figured right. So what’s good here?”
“Everything. Seriously, I know it looks like every single other pub here, but there’s a reason we’re here for dinner at 5:30 like we’re eighty years old. In two hours this place will be absolutely packed.”
“I’ve never heard of it.”
“That’s because you haven’t been here for long enough. Mention the Green Dragon Inn and everyone will know what you’re talking about.”
“Well that’s good to know that I’m the only person being kept out of the loop.”
“Don’t take it personally, you’re just new.”
Just then a waitress came by with a couple menus.
“Can I get you a drink as well?” she asked me, and I ordered a vodka and diet coke.
“So, tell me what New York was like,” Jack asked when the waitress left.
“It was good. I love the city. I’d like to go back, I think, once I graduate. My mom wanted me to come with her to England. I think she’d have been too lonely without me, to be honest. You know, a face from home sort of thing. New York is great. It’s actually a lot like London. Very vibrant, very active. The city that never sleeps, you know? But London is different in a way. It’s a lot more… considered. New York is crazier. London is like the sister city, but wearing a nice suit. If that makes sense.”
Jack nodded.
“Yeah, it does. I get it. I think I’d like New York.”
“I think you would too. So now spill: what is it that you really do when you’re not working? How do you seemingly know everything about everything around here?”
“That’s an easy one to answer. I’ve lived here my whole life, and I make it my business to know. Plus, when people buy pot from you, they figure you can keep their secrets.”
“Wait, you’re a drug dealer?” I mean, I knew my brother was a bit of a badass, but this was a complete surprise.
“In a way. I mainly just do favours for friends. If someone wants to buy from me, they have to be referred from someone I know and trust.”
“That’s illegal!”
“No shit,” he replied with a grin. “I hope that doesn’t turn you off.”
Was it bad that it did the opposite?