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Deja gasped. “This is real food.”

“Finley needs protein,” he said.

I let out a breathy laugh. “Okay, Coach.”

“No, I’m serious. You should order something else.”

“I’ll eat at home later.”

“Let me out.” He twisted his upper body toward me like I was going to move immediately.

“Why?” I asked.

“I’m going to order you a burger. Which one do you want?”

“I’m good with fries.”

“No, you’re not. You have to take care of your body if you want to maximize our training.”

“I take care of my body. Like I said, I’ll eat more when I get home. Fries are just our tradition.”

“It’s important to get protein within an hour after you work out. Stand up.” He was attempting to move me by pushing his thigh against mine.

I held on to the table and dug my feet into the ground. “We hardly worked out. We kicked a ball around. You taught me about downs and positions and penalties.”

“But you’re still recovering from yesterday—you need to eat.”

“You’re not my boss.”

“You really are stubborn,” he said.

“Youreally are stubborn.”

He must not have been trying before because after my statement he put real effort into his force and I slid down the bench, barely getting my feet under me, saving myself from falling.

“Ouch,” I hissed, my muscles protesting the effort. I wanted to rush the register before he got there, but I’d only brought a few dollars to contribute to the fry haul. I hadn’t brought burger money.

“Hey, Mrs.Patel! Don’t serve him!” I yelled to Deja’s mom behind the counter.

She thought I was kidding and just laughed in my direction.

I huffed and turned my attention back to my completely silent friends, who were all staring at me with wide-eyed expressions. “What?”

“Really?” Max said. “I didn’t knowallmy dreams in our revenge plot were possible. You really are going to fall for your ex-boyfriend’s nemesis, and it isn’t even going to be that hard.”

“No,” Deja said. Then, under her breath, with a glance toward the register, added, “Is he always that controlling?”

“I wouldn’t call it controlling,” Lee said. “He was worried.”

“And protective,” Max agreed.

“What would you call it, Finley?” Deja asked.

“I…” My first thought was to defend him. Agree with the guys. But maybe I had let my guard down a little. I couldn’t do that. Wouldn’t. Not when I’d just been burned by someone so bad that I could still feel it in my chest. Someone who I thought was nice. Theo didn’t even pretend to be nice. “He’s stubborn. Probably too stubborn.” Always thought he was right. Arrogant people weren’t careful. I needed careful.

“Exactly,” Deja said, as if that was all she needed to hear to back up her thoughts.

“He smells really good,” Max said. “Would it be weird if I just stuck my nose on his shirt?”