Uniting the Souls (Souls of Chicago #6)(36)

“Sorry about your luck. There’s no evidence and if anyone asks, I’ll deny the whole thing,” Aysha informed me.

The waiter came back with our drinks. He was handsome with hazel eyes and thick brown hair. His eyes kept darting back and forth between me and my sister and his forehead wrinkled like he was trying to figure out a puzzle.

“Uncle Hudson, I made this for you!” Nicholas exclaimed, waving his drawing in the air.

“You did that for me? Thank you, little man,” I said as I took it from him.

“I’ll make you the next one, Mommy,” Nicholas promised, looking adoringly at his mother.

I had to fight back a laugh when I saw the waiter’s shoulders relax as he finally pieced together what Aysha and my relationship was to each other and he realized we weren’t a couple. His smile widened as he handed her a glass of tea and I noticed the way his fingers purposely brushed over hers, smiling as he looked into her eyes. My sister, however, seemed completely oblivious to the attention she was receiving as she helped her son with his cup. I almost felt sorry for the poor guy as he turned and headed back towards the kitchen.

“Please tell me you’re not that clueless,” I said and Aysha’s head popped up, her eyes wide.

“What are you talking about?” she demanded.

“I’m talking about the way our waiter has been staring at you,” I stated.

“He was not! You’re imagining things,” she said, rolling her eyes at me as if the idea of someone flirting with her was ridiculous. The thought hurt me because I knew that’s probably how she really felt.

“I didn’t imagine him staring at you or the way his eyes lit up when Nicholas called me Uncle and he realized we weren’t a couple. I also didn’t imagine the way he made sure to touch your hand as he gave you your drink,” I replied, laying the facts out and hoping she’d see what was happening as clearly as I did.

Her eyes widened, but then I saw them shutter. “It doesn’t matter,” she said.

“What do you mean?” I asked, knowing I wasn’t going to like her answer.

“I mean nothing would come of it anyway. He probably flirts with everyone to try and get a better tip,” she said, waving her hand in the air like the conversation was over.

I hated the cynical tone in her voice because I knew that wasn’t my sister. That was her insecurities talking; the insecurities that that cheating bastard, Tommy, had given her. I wasn’t a violent person, I believed in talking through your issues, but in that moment, if her ex-husband had been standing in front of me, I would’ve decked him.

“Now, enough stalling. Tell me about the party you went to,” Aysha said.

I clenched my jaw at her obvious attempt at changing the subject. I wanted to argue with her, but then I saw the pleading look in her eyes and I knew it wasn’t the right time. I’d brought her there to enjoy herself and have fun and I wouldn’t spoil that for her. We would, however, be revisiting the conversation eventually.

I told Aysha about the crowd of fans outside the club and some of the funny stories that had been passed around among my friends. The waiter brought us our food and Aysha mostly kept her head down, but I did see her dart a look at him as he set her plate in front of her. His smile broadened, displaying a row of perfectly straight white teeth and he winked at her boldly. Aysha’s gaze dropped back to the table, but I could see a slight grin on her lips as the waiter walked away. I was glad that she had seen the man’s reaction for herself, but I kept my face blank as she looked my way.

“I miss dancing. Please, tell me you did some dancing. Let me live vicariously through you,” Aysha pleaded dramatically.

My mind immediately flashed to the night before when I’d sat, watching Matt and Isaac out on the dance floor. The way they’d moved together had been natural and fluid as if their bodies were made for each other. The heat between them could be felt from across the room and when they finally kissed, I’d felt like my body was going to go up in flames.

I swallowed hard as I realized I’d been quiet too long and Aysha was staring at me through narrowed eyes, her head tilted to the side as she studied me like a bug under a microscope. It was time to come clean. I’d never been able to hide anything from my sister because she knew me better than anyone else in the world and besides, if things went the way I was hoping they would go with Matt and Isaac, then I would have to tell her about them eventually anyway.

“I did dance just a little,” I told her, trying to figure out how to explain my infatuation with two men.

“You’ve met someone,” she said with a growing smile and I shifted in my seat nervously.

“Well, sort of,” I said slowly. “The thing is, I’ve actually met two men.” Aysha’s face crinkled in confusion and my palms began to sweat.

“Wait, you’re seeing two guys at the same time? Do they know about each other?” I could hear the touch of disappointment in her voice and I knew she was comparing it to her own experience with her ex.

“It’s not like that,” I rushed to explain. “The three of us…we all like each other.” Aysha leaned back in her chair and eyed me for a moment as she let my words turn over in her head then she leaned forward, placing her elbows on the table and folding her hands under her chin.

“Okay, tell me about them,” she said simply, as a small smile lifted her lips.