“Thank goodness,” I mumble, guiding Andrea toward the exit. “Let’s go grab pizza,” I tell her.
“Yesss,” she hisses.
“I’m down for pizza,” Luke says and looks at Erik, who agrees.
We say goodbye to Avery and Gabriel and walk down the boardwalk to House of Pies, running in to grab a table before the rest of the concertgoers have the same idea.
“Got one.” Andrea giggles, dropping on the chair.
I sit beside her while Dani takes the chair across from me.
“Luke and Erik were talking to some friends, and they’ll be right in. Now, tell me what in the hell happened.” She looks at me.
“With what?” Andrea’s voice rings with concern.
“Our friend here was dancing with Hot Deputy and suddenly they were like two strangers.”
“Oh yeah.” Andrea sits up, scooting her seat closer to the table. “I saw that, and you guys looked cute.”
“We didn’t,” I argue weakly.
“They were flirting, for sure.” Dani nods, looking at Andrea.
I roll my eyes and shake my head.
“I think she likes him,” Andrea whispers, giggling on a hiccup.
“I don’t, but we’ve had some really awkward encounters before I even knew he was Walker’s uncle. Apparently, I can’t keep my mouth shut around him. I accused the man of being a stripper and telling him he was in the wrong house for goodness sake.” I throw my hands in the air, letting them slam hard against the wooden table on the way down.
“Usually awkward encounters mean you like the guy,” Andrea informs.
I don’t bring up her reaction to Luke because I don’t want to embarrass her in front of Dani if it’s a secret crush, but I plan to bring it up another day because she says that with too much certainty.
“It’s complicated with him being Walker’s uncle and now working at the school. Sure he’s hot, but it has drama written all over it, especially with how quickly he pushes me away.”
“You’re right.” Dani nods. “You deserve better than that, especially after your last couple of relationships.”
“Exactly!” I say too loud, but inside I’m dying a little at the thought that my best friend thinks I’m better off without Nate. A part of me sinks at the idea of moving on from someone I didn’t even start anything with.
Just because he’s handsome doesn’t mean he’s the right person for me.
“Anyway, nothing is even going on between us to have to spend a whole conversation on it. What’d you think about the concert?” I look at my friends with a smile.
“It was amazing.” Andrea takes a sip of water the waiter dropped off. “I can’t believe Knox freaking Bentley showed up!”
“I know.” Dani nods with wide eyes.
“Me either.” I spin my cup around and around, making a flower pattern of water rings on the table. “I’m glad concert season is back. We should try to go see Rebel Desire at the amphitheater this summer.”
“I’m down,” Andrea says.
“I’ll see if we get any tickets at the radio station,” Dani offers, taking a drink of water and scanning the crowded restaurant.
“By the way, did you talk to your dad about DJing at the spring festival at the school?” I ask Dani. “I’m on the planning committee, and Ellen asked me who was finally going to be the DJ.”
“Yeah, he’s gonna make a decision this week about who will go, but I’m pushing to be the one to do it.” She smiles.
“The kids are so excited about it,” Andrea says.