The Retreat: A Sweet Romantic Comedy (Falling For Franklin Series Book I) by Hailey Gardiner

Author:Hailey Gardiner [Gardiner, Hailey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2022-07-26T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Luke

“This food has got to be some of the best I’ve ever tasted,” I say.

Lainey nods in agreement, her mouth full. Everything from the presentation of each dish to the unique flavor combinations has been nothing short of mind blowing. Lainey and I keep looking at each other after taking bites with wide eyes and full cheeks, trying and failing to explain with our mouths full just how incredible everything is.

But even the food we’ve enjoyed is overshadowed by the company I’ve had the pleasure of keeping. Out-to-dinner Lainey is next level. Her mock-neck green dress, high heels, and long hair sweeping down her shoulders has set me on edge tonight, like a teenager on a first date. I’ve dropped my fork a couple times, the clattering sound causing heads to turn around the restaurant. Smooth is not my middle name this evening.

“So…” she says, polishing off the last bit of cheesecake on her plate with a flourish. “How do you and Chloe know each other?”

I set down my fork (with much calculated precision to avoid another stare-fest from the patrons of this fine establishment) and lean back in my chair.

“I met her at Harper’s party, and she seemed super cool,” Lainey explains. “I’ve just been wondering what the connection is.”

Her posture and tone come off as nonchalant, but there’s something glimmering in her hazel eyes that looks a lot like curiosity, spiked with a little hint of maybe…just a shot in the dark here…jealousy?!

I like what her eyes are telling me right now. She wants the dish on my relationship status. Why might that be, Lainey? Are you writing a gossip article on Luke Ward and need to cite your sources? Well, here, let me fill in a few key details for you.

I debate throwing her question back in her direction, leaving a little mystery around my singleness. But after the day we’ve had, I don’t want to make her retreat and shut me out again. I decide to tell her the truth, to put her mind at ease if she’s worried about Chloe and I having some kind of connection that’s anything other than brother-sister.

“We went to high school together,” I explain. “She and Hunter were super close. They both ran cross country their junior and senior year, so she was like part of the family growing up.”

Lainey tilts her head. “Wait, so Chloe and Hunter are like…tight?”

I nod, taking a sip of my drink. “Thick as thieves.”

Lainey fiddles with her fork. “Oh, wow. So, they’re just friends or, like…a thing?”

“Nobody really knows,” I say, laying my hands out in front of me. “I think there’s always been something going on between them, but neither of them want to be the first one to admit they might have feelings for the other.”

Lainey’s giving me a look that I haven’t seen before, one where her expression is totally open, her eyes soft instead of blazing, her mouth relaxed and just begging to be kissed.

“What about you, then?” she asks, her lashes dropping down as she leans over the table toward me.

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