Page 26 of Cru's Crush

“Knock it off, Daph.”

I shook my head. I was on the verge of tears, and it took a lot to make me cry.

“I need some time away from you,” I said. “I’m going back inside alone. I’ll order what I really want for breakfast, then I’ll either get a ride from Alex or ask my parents to pick me up.”

“Can we please talk?”

“That isn’t working. I need some time. I’m asking nicely, so please give it to me.”

He hung his head. “Sure, but you have to promise me you’ll stay with Alex or your parents.”

“Thanks.”

“No, not thanks. Promise me you won’t leave here with anyone but them, and when you do, Alex either brings you to Los Cab or to Norman, and that’s only if your mom and dad are there.”

“I promise.”

I had my hand on the diner’s door when I heard him say, “Will I see you later?”

“Probably,sweetie.”

“What was that all about?”Alex asked when I sat at the same table and Cru drove off.

“To tell you the truth, I have no bloody idea. Things have been off between us, and I don’t know how to get back to where we’ve always been—friends.”

“Did you sleep with him?”

My mouth gaped, and while I wanted to yell, I lowered my voice instead. “No. God!How could you even ask me that?”

“Want some coffee?”

“Yes, please. I also want food, but I’d rather not order it from Cru’s girlfriend.” If she was his girlfriend. I still couldn’t decide whether or not he was gay.

Alex looked around the room until she spotted the woman I was referring to. “Her? They were never together. I’m sure she wanted to be, but he wasn’t interested.”

The woman was certainly attractive and very much into him. Again, I couldn’t stop myself from wondering if his lack of interest in women was because he preferred men.

Alex set the coffee in front of me. “What do you want to eat?”

“An olallieberry muffin, warm please.”

“Is that all?”

“For now, thanks.”

She went into the kitchen while I prayed the waitress wasn’t carrying a sharp knife that might end up in my back when she passed by.

“I got it, hon,” Alex said to her, setting the muffin in front of me like she had the coffee. She sat down and leaned closer. “You have nothing to worry about with her. Even if they were ever together, I’m sure she wasn’t more than a hookup.”

“Wait. I’m not worried about her, other than her stabbing me,” I added under my breath. “I don’t care who Cru hooks up with.”

She nodded but with her head cocked.

“Cru and I arefriends. Not only that, but he’s my boss. At least, I think he is.”

She plucked a piece of my muffin. “That’s the problem with you two. Too much sexual tension.”

“You’re not even listening to me.” When she went for another piece of my breakfast, I slapped her hand. “Get your own.”