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Catherine glanced at Branden with a raised brow, surprised by the suggestion. “A barbecue restaurant?” she repeated, her tone skeptical.
Branden, still walking alongside her, met her gaze with a faint smile. “Yes, a change of pace might be good. You’ve been enduring shopping for too long. Why not have some fun with food instead?”
Audrey, who had been a few steps ahead, turned around at the mention of barbecue. “Barbecue? Oh, I love it! But I thought we were focusing on getting clothes today…” She trailed off, unsure of what to make of the sudden shift in plans.
Catherine smirked slightly, turning to Audrey. “I think Branden’s right. A change in scenery sounds better. Plus, we don’t have to stay cooped up in this mall all day.”
Audrey hesitated for a moment, looking between her sister and Branden, who both seemed surprisingly in sync. She eventually gave in, her curiosity about the potential barbecue winning out. “Fine, fine. Let’s go eat. But I’m not leaving without at least one more shopping spree later!”
Branden chuckled, amused by Audrey’s persistence, but nodded. “We can arrange that. But for now, let’s go enjoy some good food.”
As the trio made their way out of the mall, the tension from earlier seemed to dissipate, replaced by a light-hearted energy. Catherine, still mostly reserved, found herself feeling less burdened by the events of the day. Branden’s presence, though somewhat commanding, wasn’t as overwhelming now. In fact, his calm demeanor was strangely comforting, and his suggestion of a meal had caught her off guard, making her realize she was more relaxed than she’d been in hours.
Audrey, of course, was already excited about the barbecue, looking forward to a more enjoyable activity after the shopping frenzy. As they left the mall, the day’s drama seemed far behind them.
Catherine glanced at Branden, raising an eyebrow as she considered his suggestion. A barbecue restaurant? It wasn’t the most glamorous option, but the thought of something different from the endless shopping was tempting.
“Barbecue?” she repeated, her tone a mix of curiosity and surprise. “That’s a bit… casual, isn’t it?”
Branden shrugged, the corner of his lips lifting in a playful smile. “Sometimes, a simple meal is the best. Besides, I’ve heard about a place nearby. It’s got excellent reviews. If you’re tired of shopping, why not relax a bit?”
Catherine paused, her eyes shifting toward Audrey, who was still engrossed in trying on yet another outfit. Catherine hadn’t really thought about food or taking a break from the chaos of the mall, but now that Branden had mentioned it, she found herself intrigued.
Audrey, noticing the conversation and sensing an opportunity to wind down, looked up with a smile. “Oh! Barbecue sounds amazing. Let’s go, Kathy!”
Catherine nodded, still a little hesitant but mostly indifferent. She didn’t particularly care where they ate, as long as it was an escape from the relentless shopping spree. And she had to admit, a change of pace sounded nice.
“Alright, let’s go,” she agreed, giving Branden a small nod of approval.
Branden’s eyes twinkled with a hint of satisfaction as he gestured for Paxton, who had been following them discreetly, to make the necessary arrangements. “I’ll make sure we’re all set. You won’t have to wait long.”
Audrey, ever the enthusiast, linked her arm with Catherine’s as they headed toward the exit of the shopping mall. “This is going to be so much fun! And honestly, I think a casual meal is just what we need after all that chaos with the Burtons.”
Catherine’s thoughts wandered back to the Burtons and the drama of earlier. It felt like a lifetime ago now, and she was glad that things had settled down. Branden had been a strong presence, but she had her own reasons for not feeling entirely at ease around him.
As they walked toward the restaurant, Catherine couldn’t help but wonder if Branden’s offer to join them for a simple meal was more about keeping an eye on her than genuinely wanting to enjoy a meal. After all, he had mentioned the Duncans’ interest in her, and with everything going on, she couldn’t shake the feeling that he was playing some sort of game.
But for now, at least, there was no need to overthink it. Audrey was excited, and Catherine wasn’t going to spoil her fun.
As they approached the restaurant, the scent of grilled meat wafted through the air, making Catherine’s stomach growl slightly, despite herself. It seemed like a good time to relax, forget about the complexities of her engagement, and just enjoy the moment.
As they entered the restaurant, Branden took a seat at the table, still observing Catherine with an unreadable expression. Audrey, on the other hand, was already scanning the menu with a grin. “This place looks cozy! Let’s order a ton of food, Kathy. You’re going to love it.”
Catherine took a seat, her usual guarded demeanor settling back into place. She wasn’t quite sure what to make of Branden’s presence, but for now, she would let things unfold. After all, a casual dinner could be just what they all needed.