Just friends? Pfft. Yeah, right.

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Dave stretched, crossing his legs. He had called me up during work, asking me if I would like to have lunch with him. Well, i guess you could guess what my answer was. We had decided to have lunch at the park, packing up our food. It was a beautiful day and we should not waste it. I had laughed when Dave told me that.

“Are you free this weekend?” he asked, looking at a couple whispering and giggling.

“Hm?” I asked, looking up from my food.

He turned to me, a frown on his face. “I have this charity event. There will be a lot of press there.”

“Uhuh...”

“I thought you’d like to know. Something to add in your article maybe,” he stated, leaning back.

I raised an eyebrow. “What makes you think I haven’t published it?”

“I didn’t see it in your magazine,” he simply stated. I stuck my tongue out at him. “Oh, very mature, Jo.”

I rolled my eyes. “Where is this event?”

“The new hotel.”

“You don’t sound excited about it,” I remarked, sipping my iced tea.

Dave sighed, brown eyes tired. “I’m not. I hate these big events. There are just way too many phonies and the reporters would do anything to get any scoop from me. It’s suffocating.”

“It’s our job, Dave,” I told him.

He looked up at me. “What?”

“Getting the inside scoop. That’s what peasants like me do to princes and kings like you,” I replied, joking.

Dave’s lip lifted into a smile. “You’re not a peasant and I’m not a prince. So, will you come?”

I bit on my straw. “Hm. A personal invitation from David James McOwan. This is such an honour.”

He chuckled at my dramatics, sipping his drink. “Can you not say my full name, Julia Ann Leward?”

I grinned, biting into my sandwich. “So I need to dress up?”

“Preferably,” he answered, grinning. “And I know just how much you love dressing up.”

“Asshole,” I muttered under my breath.

Dave shook his head, smiling. “You know that doesn’t insult me.”

“But, it makes me feel better,” I stated, finishing my food.

“How’s your dad?” he asked, eyes grave.

I looked at a spot on the ground. “He’s better. But, he’s quite weak. My mom’s worried he might get another heart attack.”

“Sean’s staying with them, right?” Concern was evident in his voice.

I nodded, running my fingers through my hair. “Yeah.”

A silence fell between us. We did not need to say anything to know how the other is feeling. I knew he was concerned for my dad because he did not want to see me hurt. In turn, he knew I was worried and just having company was comfort for me.

“Jo.”

“Yeah?”

“You got ketchup on your shirt.”

“What? Where? Oh, damn.”

“No, don’t...Let me- I told you not to do that, didn’t I?”