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What is Jemma’s?

Who is Callie?

What role do they play in the strange transformation of my friend?

I bury those questions as I follow Luke through the diner. He doesn’t stop at the host stand or acknowledge the dozens of eyes tracking us when we breach breakfast routines with our alien presence. The gaping stares make it clear we don’t belong here. The scowl from the man in the booth by the door lets me know we’re not exactly welcome, either.

Only one person—a young employee at the host stand—looks pleased to see us. Maybetoopleased by the way her dreamy gaze fixates on Luke, then me. Luke doesn’t give her a second glance, so clearly she’s not the guardian angel I’m here to meet.

Thatperson would be…

Holy shit.

I play it cool as we approach a table set deep inside the restaurant. The lone occupant’s lips lift in an adoring smile when she sees Luke. Stunning hazel eyes skim my friend, then lock on me with a hint of concern. Even without Luke’sdescription, the genuine aura surrounding this girl draws me in.

Damn. No wonder Luke keeps coming back. I’d love to start my day with that smile as well.

“Callie,” Luke says in a flat tone.

“Luke,” she replies with similar gravity.

They exchange a small smile that tells me this is some inside joke. Luke still has humor in him. Good to know.

“This is Casey,” Luke says, motioning to me.

“Hi. I’m Casey,” I echo with a grin of my own.

The young woman is too far away for a handshake, so I settle on a quick wave.

I feel her intense stare as I pull out a chair. She must be evaluating me, wondering the same things I wonder about her. What role do I play in her friend’s life? Am I part of the problem, or the solution?

I’m used to being gawked at. Lust, admiration, jealousy, resentment—I can handle them all. But this is different. This woman’s potent stare isn’t something I’m accustomed to. Questions, but not quite curiosity. Interest, but not quite fascination.

It’s alluring, confusing, and completely explains why Luke fell under her spell.

Hell, we’ve barely said a word to each other and I’m already intrigued. I’m also uncomfortable with the weird silence.

“Do you always get up this early?” I ask to break the tension. Also, I really want to know, because if their start time is negotiable, that’d be awesome.

“If you come later, you don’t get to eat. You know how it is once you’re spotted,” Luke says.

He’s got a point, but since when did we care about shit like that? We’re always noticed. And ever since Luke disappeared, I’ve had to endure even more of the spotlight. Maybe he’s been hiding so long, privacy is actually an option for him now.

“Welcome to our breakfast club,” Callie says with a quicksmile. There’s a hesitancy to her tone, like she felt compelled to say something as well.

“Yeah, Luke was telling me about your little breakfast club. Pretty wild story.”

Her lips tip up in an adorable grin. “Then I’m sure he also told you about how incredibly witty and smart I am. I’m great company.”

Not gonna lie, my stomach does a small flip at the ease with which she settled into my presence. She’s nothing like the expertly polished women I’m used to. Maybe that’s exactly why she has my attention.

“He’s told me some things,” I say, not sure where this is supposed to go. Every instinct wants to flirt. Her mischievous glint and the way her stare runs over me again makes me think she might be up for it.

“How about you not be a jerk for twenty seconds,” Luke mumbles, shutting that down. I can’t help but smile at his defensive reaction. Maybe he wasn’t being as honest about his interest in this girl as he pretended to be last night.

“Don’t let his puppy dog eyes and sob story fool you,” I joke, testing him out. “This man is no boy scout.”

“Casey, not now.”