Serendipity ↬ COMPLETE

Chapter 15

Chapter 15: Dinner at the McDonough's

"A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you." -Elbert Hubbard

After our time at the park, we left at around 6:30 because the brothers needed to get home for dinner.

I texted my mom and let her know that I was coming home and the four of us left with our souvenirs.

We made it to our vehicles and I unlocked my truck. "I have to get home, too, guys, so I'll see you later?" I responded, looking at the three boys in front of me.

"Yeah, sounds good. Hey, do you want to come over for dinner? You're parents are invited, too," Riley replied, giving me a hug goodbye.

"Sure! That sounds good. I have some unpacking to help finish and then we'll come over. What time should we come?" I asked.

"7:45!" Toby exclaimed cheerfully as he wrapped his arms around me a huge hug. For being younger than me, he sure was at least two or three inches taller than me.

"Okay! I'll let my parents know. I'll see you guys later," I said, hugging Connor finally. You know what they say; save the best for last.

Connor's arms lingered around my waist for a moment or two, longer than his brothers, but I was surprisingly okay with it. Sure, my heart was speeding up as each second in his arms passed by, but I didn't seem to mind.

I closed my eyes and took in the smell of his Axe Instinct (quick a/n: not really sure if he actually uses that brand of cologne, but go with it, please) and I immediately felt the high. Axe was the best cologne a guy could wear in my opinion. I hated that expensively cheap crap, like Hollister or Aèropostle; those made me sick.

Someone cleared their voice behind Connor and I released him, blushing furiously. Connor reluctantly let me go as well, sighing when he did. "Uhm, see you later, Leilani," he said shyly, turning to his car.

"Uh, yeah," I sputtered out. I glanced up and caught Toby's gaze. He smiled and sent a wink in my direction, making my blush deepen on my cheeks. I peeled my gaze from Toby's and watched as my feet scuffed at the ground. "I'll, uh, see you guys tonight," I said awkwardly.

"Uhm, yeah, we'll see you tonight, Lani," Connor said just as awkwardly.

My heart thudded when he spoke my nickname, but I tried to ignore it.

I climbed into my truck and the boys got in Connor's car, with Connor in the driver seat. I looked out the passenger side window and caught Connor looking through the driver side window at me. He blushed and looked away, and I did the same.

I backed out of the parking lot first and started to drive out of the parking garage, with Connor's car right behind me.

I tried to coax my rapidly contracting heart rate to relax and slow itself, but it wasn't working.

I managed to get home safely and I shut off my truck with shaky hands and pulled the keys from the ignition. I opened the driver door and slipped out.

I glanced across the street and didn't see Connor's car anywhere. I sighed and proceeded to walk up to the front door of my own home. I unlocked the front door with my keys. "I'm home!" I called through the house.

Tucker started barking and the next instant, he was running around the corner from the living room. He jumped on me and I laughed, kneeling down to his level and scratching his head.

"Hey, honey, how was your morning?" my dad asked, coming into view in the same direction that Tucker came.

"It was interesting. I went to Starbucks and filled out the application and then the boys and I went to Universal... Oh! I got a callback from the Starbucks manager! I have an interview with her tomorrow morning at 9:30!," I explained, hardly taking breaths between my words.