Reluctant Desires

Chapter4

Chapter 4

Fiona’s POV

The restaurant had finally quieted down after the rush of customers, but for some reason, my mind refused to settle. I tried to focus on my crocheting, but he kept intruding—his annoyingly handsome face, the way he looked at me like I was a piece of gum stuck under his shoe. Ugh. Why was I even thinking about him? I should be thinking about how many pieces I had left to complete, not about some stranger with a condescending attitude.

I shook my head, determined to let it go. The restaurant was closing soon, and Amy and I needed to head home. As we packed up, I noticed Amy practically vibrating with excitement. That could only mean one thing—she was about to start yapping about the guys from earlier. “So,” she began as soon as we got in the car, her voice practically dripping with mischief. “Tell me you at least got their names.”

I gave her a sideways glance. “Why would I do that?”

Amy gasped dramatically, clutching her chest like I’d just stabbed her. “Fiona! You mean to tell me you had a whole conversation with two fine-ass men, and you didn’t even bother to get their names? Their numbers? Their house address?”

I scoffed. “Oh, sure. Let me just go back in time and casually ask for their blood type while I’m at it.”

She rolled her eyes. “At the very least, you could’ve found out their names.”

“And what exactly would you do with that information?”

Amy flashed a mischievous grin. “Leave that to me.”

I groaned, shaking my head. “You’re ridiculous.”

As we hit some traffic, she suddenly declared, “I call dibs on the second guy, though.”

I snorted. “You can have them both. In fact, take a buy-one-get-one-free deal. You’re welcome.”

By the time we got home, we were both exhausted. But that didn’t mean the interrogation was over. The moment we stepped inside, Finnete was waiting for us, arms crossed, wearing an expression that screamed Drama Queen in Training.

“Where have you two been?” she demanded, hands on her hips. “I have been abandoned. Forced to fend for myself. Alone.”

I stared at her blankly. “You were literally in this house. With Wi-Fi. And snacks.”

She huffed. “That’s beside the point.”

I sighed, walking to the kitchen to drop off the leftovers Aunt Loveth had sent with us. When I returned, I found Finnete and Amy giggling over something. Suspicious.

“What are you two up to?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

Amy grinned like a Cheshire cat. “We were just discussing how you have no idea when a guy is checking you out.”

My mouth fell open. “Excuse me?”

Finnete nodded, all serious. “Yeah, sis. You really need to learn the difference between someone looking at you with desire and someone looking at you with disgust.”

I stared at my eleven-year-old sister in horror. “Who is corrupting you? Because I know it’s not me.”

Amy smirked. “What can I say? The girl is wise beyond her years.”

I groaned, shaking my head as I went back to the kitchen to heat up the leftovers. There was no winning against these two.

Later That Night

After dinner, we all curled up on the couch to watch a movie. At some point, I started dozing off, only to be jolted awake by Amy practically leaping off the couch.

“I almost forgot!” she exclaimed, grabbing her phone.

Finnete and I exchanged glances. “This can’t be good,” I muttered.

Amy found whatever she was looking for and plopped down next to me, eyes gleaming with excitement. “So, my company is hosting this charity event tomorrow. I have an invitation for both of us!”

I immediately shook my head. “Absolutely not.”

She pouted. “You don’t even know the details yet!”

“I don’t need to. The answer is no.”

Amy sighed dramatically. “Come on, Fiona. It’ll be fun. Fancy dresses, free food, networking—”

I cut her off. “You lost me at ‘fancy dresses.’”

Her eyes narrowed. “Okay, what if I told you that I already picked out a dress for you? And I’ll do your makeup?”

I blinked. “You knew I’d say no, and you still went ahead and planned my outfit?”

She grinned. “Obviously.”

I groaned. “Amy…”

“And before you try to back out,” she said quickly, “Finnete can stay with Aunt Laura for the night.”

I turned to my sister, expecting her to protest. Instead, she beamed. “Yay! A sleepover at Aunt Laura’s!”

I exhaled sharply. “Oh, for the love of—”

Amy clapped her hands. “So, you’re going?”

I hesitated. Something in my gut told me that agreeing would be a terrible idea. But between Amy’s hopeful expression and Finnete’s excitement, I was outnumbered.

“…Fine.”

The moment the words left my mouth, Amy and Finnete let out twin squeals of victory.

“No backing out now!” Amy declared.

“Yeah, yeah,” I muttered, rubbing my temples.

Somehow, I just knew that this

night was going to be way longer than I anticipated.