More Than Friends (Friends, #2)(53)

“Totally. I don’t get my mom’s relationship with him. I really just don’t get Fitch. He’s odd, but I can’t put my finger on exactly why,” Livvy explains.

“Olivia!” Fitch yells from the living room, making both of us wince. “Your boyfriend is waiting for you!”

We both enter the living room together, Livvy going straight for Ryan while I stand there awkwardly waiting for them.

“You look amazing,” Ryan whispers as he rests his hands on her hips, pulling her in for a quick kiss.

Fitch scowls. I’m guessing he doesn’t like public displays of affection. His gaze slides to mine, and he smiles, though there’s something almost sinister about it. I offer him a faint smile in return and he looks me up and down, like he’s totally checking me out.

Ew.

“Come on, let’s go. I don’t want to leave Tuttle waiting at the restaurant,” Livvy urges, taking Ryan’s hand and leading him toward the front door. I follow after them. “Bye, Fitch,” she yells as she opens the door.

“Be back by one,” he tells her just as she slams the door in his face, making Ryan chuckle.

“You’re so rude to him Livvy,” he teases as he leads us toward his car parked in front of Liv’s house.

“He’s gross. Look at how he acts like he’s my dad! It’s ridiculous.” Liv shakes her head.

“Where’s your mom?” Ryan asks her as he opens both doors on the passenger side of his sleek white BMW. I climb into the back seat and he shuts the door for me, then does the same for Livvy. I smooth my hands over my dress and tug the skirt down, trying to cover my thighs. I feel totally overexposed, which is silly since I wear shorts all the time.

Livvy doesn’t answer until Ryan is sitting behind the steering wheel. “She’s working until nine. Some weird shift change she had. So Fitch said he’d supervise me until I left. Then he’s going to go pick her up from the hospital.” She mock shudders. “I wish they’d just break up already.”

I remain quiet for the entire drive, listening to Ryan and Liv’s conversation. They talk about football and the restaurant and Ryan tells her how hot she looks in her dress. She’s wearing a light gray T-shirt dress, though hers fits a little looser.

My phone buzzes and I check it.



I’m at the restaurant. Where are you?



We’re almost there.



Good.



I tuck my phone back into the small purse I brought, letting that warm, fuzzy feeling wash over me. I can feel his frustration even through those few words he texted. He likes me. He wants to be with me. I’ve spent a lot of time with him lately, and I even met his mom.

That has to count for something, right?

We arrive at the restaurant and Ryan turns his car keys over to the valet before walking us inside. Jordan’s sitting in the lobby waiting for us and he rises to his feet when he sees me, his eyes going wide as he slowly approaches.

“You put our name in already?” Ryan asks him.

Jordan never takes his gaze away from me. “Yeah. Table will be ready in a few minutes.”

And then his hands are on my waist, pulling me into him. “You look gorgeous,” he whispers just before he kisses me lightly on the lips.

I’m thankful he’s holding onto me. Otherwise I probably would’ve slipped to the floor in a boneless heap at his very public claiming of me.

“So, Tuttle. You like her makeover?” Livvy asks Jordan, amusement lacing her tone. She’s loving every minute of this.

“I do,” he tells her before he leans in and murmurs in my ear, “Though I think you’re even more beautiful when you’re wearing sweats and no makeup on.”

“Stop.” I lightly smack his chest, my entire body flushing hot.

“Just stating the truth.” He kisses my cheek before we both turn to find Ryan and Livvy watching us with surprise etched across their faces. “What?” he asks crossly.

They both stand up straight, their expressions going neutral. “Not used to seeing you like this, bro,” Ryan says.

“You pretty much hate everyone,” Livvy adds.

Jordan slips his arm around my waist. “I don’t hate everyone,” he drawls. “I’m just picky.”

What a way to put it. So is he saying that I should feel special because he picked me?

The hostess calls Jordan’s name and we follow after her as she escorts us to our table. The restaurant is small and intimate, with dark walls and low lighting, candles burning on every table. Colorful fall bouquets sit next to lit votives in the center and the tables are draped in white cloth. It’s all very elegant and fancy and I’m not used to this sort of place whatsoever.

Thad never took me to fancy dinners the few times we actually went out on a date. And my family doesn’t come to places like this. The fanciest we get is Applebee’s or Chili’s. I know that sounds lame, but it’s true.

I pick up my menu and flip it over. It’s only printed on one side and I frown, reading over the small list of appetizers and entrees they serve.

“The chef changes the menu every few weeks, and themes it by whatever’s in season,” Jordan explains to me, like he can sense my confusion.

“Oh.” I scan it, unease slipping through me. None of it sounds that great, though mostly that’s due to me never eating this kind of food. I’m not an adventurous eater. I’m not much of an adventurous anything. Glancing around the table, I see Livvy smiling over at Ryan as he says something flirtatious. She’s not worried about ordering, so I shouldn’t be either.