Chapter 201: Outsider’s Interpretation
** Eli **
Eli spent the rest of the drive carefully watching his words, dodging any conversations that could possibly lead to women or personal life or, most terrifyingly, Harper.
He was thankful when they finally reached their destination, a restaurant named La Cantina. Though it was far from time to sigh in relief yet ... because he knew the worst part was yet to come when Harper waved at them from the table she had saved.
"My goodness, Harp, you look so different from when I saw you last." Tyler greeted his sister with an enthusiastic hug and an enthusiastic exclamation, blissfully unaware of the existential crisis he had just inflicted upon his friend behind him.
"Really? Oh, you mean the tan?" Harper grinned. "Yeah, a friend said that to me too. I guess I should start considering beach vacations more often."
"Nah, not just the tan. You look like you’ve been building some good muscles. Getting in great shape." Tyler patted her on the arm. "Been hitting the gym a lot lately? I’ve been telling you that you’d do well with more cardio exercises."
"... Ohhh! That!!! Right ... Yeah, I’ve found a ... new love in physical activities for sure. I can’t wait to tell you more about it."
Eli didn’t miss the sly way Harper winked at him when she turned to give him a "friendly" hug. He wished he could tell her, without raising her brother’s suspicion, that maybe she shouldn’t get too excited about sharing the "physical activities" part quite yet.
The two guys followed Harper back to the table as she went on to ask about Tyler’s upcoming interview and the potential new job. Eli took the seat across from them, unfolded the napkin in his lap, and he was about to pick up the menu when he noticed the guest sitting at the table next to them, right behind Harper.