Page 18

It occurred to me that, in just a matter of a few minutes, I had two people glaring daggers at me. That was a personal record. I really bring out the best in people.

“Calax is my nemesis,” I announced after a moment. “Like the whole enemy, fall-and-crack-your-head-open sort of relationship going on.”

Ryder and Ronan broke into laughter. It was Ronan who spoke first, wiping tears out of his eyes. He turned towards Calax.

“You didn’t mention that she hated you.”

“He’s a very hateable person,” I pointed out. Calax grumbled inarticulately but slid into the booth beside me. His thigh touched mine, and I poked him in his muscled chest.

“Move over, Big Guy. I don’t want to catch your cooties.”

He ignored me, as always, and pressed his leg even closer to mine.

“Aw. No fair. How come Calax gets to sit so close to Princess?”

“Princess?” Calax grumbled, seeming annoyed by the nickname. Declan appeared upset that Calax was upset. So basically, everyone besides me was upset. A note to all my readers: if you want to make friends, make them cry first. Trust me.

Declan and Calax seemed to be engaged in some kind of macho stare-down. I would seriously never understand boys.

Smiling at Ronan, I said, “Calm yourself, Lucky Charms. I didn’t ask for this big brute to sit by me.”

“Did you just call me a big brute?” Calax asked, breaking eye contact with Declan.

“Did you just call me, Lucky Charms?” Ronan added. He ran his fingers through his tousled green hair.

“You have to admit that you look like a leprechaun.”

“That is insultingly adorable.” To the rest of the guys, Ronan pleaded, “Please? If you don’t want to keep her, I will.”

Calax shifted even closer to me at Ronan’s words, and Declan’s eyes zeroed in on the minuscule movement. Ugh. Boys.

“Nobody’s keeping me,” I interrupted. “Besides, I don’t date.”

The waitress picked that time to come up to our table. She was an older woman who was, fortunately, immune to Ryder’s charm (not that he didn’t try).

“Doris, looking as beautiful as ever.”

In answer, she merely wacked him with her notepad. It was official: Doris was the grandmother I never had.

The boys ordered quickly, but I took my time surveying the menu. So many choices…

“Okay, I’ll have a cheeseburger with extra cheese. Like seriously, five slices would be perfect. And some onion rings…yes, onion rings sound amazing. Hmm…let me try a slice of your cherry pie. And a chocolate shake. Are your French fries good? It doesn’t really matter. I’ll try them anyway. Do you have cheese sauce for them? I’ll take some of that. And coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.” I closed my menu happily and handed it to the amused waitress. The boys all stared at me as if I had sprouted wings.

“What?” I asked. “Have you never seen a girl eat before?”

Ronan mock whispered to Asher, “And all I ordered was a salad to try to impress her.”

Calax snorted. “Addie eats enough for an army.”

“Are you calling me fat, Callie?” I asked, narrowing my eyes playfully. He scoffed.

“If anything, you need more meat on your bones.”

“Don’t go dissing my bones, Big Guy.” In response, Calax stabbed my belly with his finger. I was almost positive that his finger rested on my stomach a second longer than necessary before he pulled it back and crossed his beefy arms.

“You’re too skinny.”

“Surprising,” Ronan injected, “considering how much she eats.”