My Brother's Best Friend(55)
I took the wrapped box and opened it.
“I hope you like it.” Megan smiled.
I smiled back and then looked down and was almost at a loss of words. An iPod!
“I know it’s not an iPhone, but it’s not time for an upgrade yet,” Mitch said apologetically.
“It’s okay. I don’t care. I finally feel like I’m moving up in the world of technology. I mean this is awesome, guys.”
“We didn’t get the iTouch because the guy in the store said this one held more music and had more functions than people realized,” Mitch said.
“Yeah, it has a radio, it’s even able to take pictures and high-quality video, and record audio,” Megan added.
I smiled. “You don’t have to sell it to me, guys. I love it. I actually have an Apple product!” I showed Devin the iPod my brother and now sister-in-law had bought me.
“It’s nice. Now you can listen to commercial-free music at work.”
He was right. I always complained about the radio and its many commercials. Now I could just plug my speakers into my iPod and listen to the music I liked whenever I liked. I stood up and hugged Mitch first and then Megan. “I’m sure you had a lot to do with this, so thanks, sis.”
Her eyes glistened as she pulled away.
“You better go,” Mitch said. “I’ve got it from here.”
“See you two later.” Devin clamped Mitchell on the back and then gave Megan a quick hug. “And might I add wedded bliss suits you both.”
Megan blushed and Mitchell smiled broadly. “Get out of here,” Mitch said, waving us away.
We walked out of the restaurant, hand in hand. “What did you say to Megan? She looked like she was about to cry.”
“I just thanked her and called her sis.”
“You always know what to say and when to say it. Now, let’s go get some dessert, shall we?”
“Are Larissa and Zach really having dessert with us?”
“Would I lie?”
I gave him a pointed look.
“Hey, I never lied to your brother. I gave him a truthful answer. I really did enjoy the ride in my car.”
I shook my head. “You told him work texted you and you had to leave.”
“Fine, let me rephrase my statement. I’ve never lied to you—well, maybe I have a few times. But I’ve never lied to you when you ask me straight questions.”
“Right, you said you’d always give me an honest answer to anything I asked. But what exactly have you lied about then?”
“You’ll see, when we get to the restaurant.” We arrived at a place I’d never heard of, but considering there was valet parking, I assumed it was a classy place.
“Good thing I wore something nice. We might not have been able to get in.”
Devin chuckled and led me inside.
“Names?” the woman behind the counter asked.
“Devin Malone and Christy Walsh. We’re here with Jack and Jill.”
The hostess was looking down the list and nodded her head. “Of course, right this way.” She walked us personally through the restaurant to the back.
“Devin! Christy! You made it,” Larissa said excitedly.
“Of course they did,” Zach said. He shook Devin’s hand and kissed my cheek. “How are you two?”
“Good. Just came from dinner with my family,” I said, sitting down across from them. Devin sat next to me, closer than he had at dinner.
“Dinner with the family, did you survive?” Zach asked Devin.
He smiled. “Christy’s family loves me. Her brother is my best friend.”
“And my sister is obsessed with him,” I added.
“That must be weird,” Larissa said. “Oh, is that why you were keeping your relationship a secret?”
Devin and I looked at each other and said together, “Yes.”
We talked a little while longer before we ordered. It wasn’t long before it was brought out and Larissa and Zach were wishing me a happy birthday with their own a capella song they had made up.
People in the restaurant clapped when they were done and I couldn’t help but clap along with them. “Thanks, guys. That was awesome.”
“We got you something too,” she said. I took the small box they handed me and opened it. “Tickets and backstage passes for Josh Groban. Devin said he’s one of your favorites.”
I smiled. “Yeah, he is! Thank you so much. This is really amazing. I’ve been trying to get tickets since it was first announced. How did you guys get these?”
“We have our connections. Just go and tell us how much fun you had,” Larissa said.
“Wow. Thanks. This is amazing.”
Devin smiled and pulled a card out of his jacket pocket. “I also got you something. Though it’s more like something I owe you.”