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“Mom will definitely teach you a thing or two. She is an excellent cook.”

“Well, I look forward to not burning my toast anymore. Cereal gets real boring real fast.”

Hunter, who had remained quiet but attentive, finally eases into the conversation, and I feel the previous weirdness drifting away. The easy friendship and camaraderie freely given by these siblings makes me feel like a real friend and part of their community.

“If you’re looking for a good breakfast, you should try Morning Star Café. Their breakfast platters are exceptional.”

Ginger and even Ryder nod in agreement. I haven’t investigated the café yet and am going to have to now. Even if Hunter’s mom teaches me how to cook properly, I don’t think it’ll ever be a skill I perfect.

Halfway through our drinks, a blur of pink twirls up to our table. It isn’t until she stops that I realize it’s Becca, the waitress from Dottie’s, rolling up on her skates. Different from the pure white ones she was wearing before, these ones are pale pink, with each wheel being a different pastel color.

“Hey, Ginger, Lottie, boys. What are y’all doin’ over here sitting around? I thought we were gonna play some pool?”

We had told Becca our plans for the evening when we were eating dinner. She mentioned meeting us here to play a few games of pool with us, but Seeing Hunter made me completely forget about it.

“Of course we are,” Ginger agrees happily. “But that makes an odd number; we need four to play teams.” She gives her brother a knowing smirk from across the table.

“How about it, Hunt? You willing to join us for a game?”

Hunter doesn’t answer immediately, Ginger doesn’t flinch, and Becca pouts, hoping to sway him with a sappy face and large stuck-out bottom lip. He ignores them both and looks at me. I give him a soft, reassuring smile.

“You can be Lottie’s partner,” Ginger adds in a sing-song voice.

“Sure, sounds great,” he finally agrees, and my heart does a little pitter patter.

“Woohoo! Let’s go before someone else nabs the open table.”

Becca rolls away, and I watch the redhead in her skintight jeans and roller skates wheeling towards the empty billiards table. Moving so smoothly, it’s almost as if she’s gliding on an invisible wind, barely having to propel herself along.

“Does she wear those skates all the time?” I ask Ginger. “I thought they were just part of her uniform for Dottie’s?”

“Oh, they were. She just decided she liked wearing them a little too much, and now she wears them practically everywhere. We’ve all kind of gotten used to it.”

Ginger shrugs and slides out of the booth, and Hunter and I follow suit. Ryder remains silently sitting in the booth as we carry our glasses to a table near the pool table, claiming it as ours, and begin setting up for the game. Hunter stands next to me as we choose cue sticks.

“Have you played before?” he asks as I test the weight of one of the sticks.

“A few times.”

I’ve played far more than a few times, but I’ve learned it’s best not to brag to a man about how much better you are at something than them. Hurts their masculine pride.

“Are you two ready to play, or are we going to stand around all night?” Becca calls from behind us.

We choose our sticks and turn to meet her and Ginger at the table, where they’ve already begun racking the balls.

“What are we playing?” Hunter asks.

“Straight pool. Nothing fancy, basic rules. Rotating each turn between team members.”

“And what do we get if we win?”

Ginger laughs, leaning on the table for support. The idea of us winning the most hysterical thing she’s heard, apparently.

“You want to make a wager?” she asks incredulously through her chuckles, staring at Hunter with disbelief. “You’re a shit player. It wouldn’t be fair to bet against us. I only partnered you with Lottie because I thought it might get you two close. Not because you could win.”

Hunter scowls and grumbles low in his chest, frowning at his sister. Her lips quirk in a teasing grin.

“Is that so?” I insert myself between the two siblings, leaning on my stick like a magical staff, one hand propped on my hip in challenge.