Page 31 of Quarterback Sneak

“Just remember, payback is coming. When’s your birthday?” she asks.

I grin at her. “You think I’m going to tell you after that threat?”

It takes a while to get to the front of the line, but it gives me time to figure out what to order. I settle on Chicken StreetTacos and of course, chips and queso for us to share. Tessa gets shrimp tacos, and I pay for our food. We make our way to where we usually sit. I’m surprised to see Jace and Sam already sitting there. They don’t usually join us on Fridays. Sam looks up and smiles, waving me over. I pause and turn to Tessa. “Do you mind if we sit with Jace and Sam? We don’t have to if you don’t want to.”

“That’s fine.”

We head over to their table. Usually, I sit next to Sam and across from Jace, but I’m not going to make Tessa sit next to Jace. So, I take the seat there instead. “Hey,” he says, looking over at me.

“Hey, Jace. Sam.”

I settle at the table, taking the lid off the queso and sliding it in between Tessa and I. Sam eyes my food in surprise. “Tacos?”

“It’s Tessa’s birthday,” I explain.

“Happy Birthday,” Sam says before going back to her food.

“So, what’s it feel like to be a year older?” I ask Tessa.

“It doesn’t feel any different; it never does, does it?”

I shake my head. “I always feel the same from year to year.”

“Did Evie tell you we found the perfect outfit for your date tomorrow night?” Sam asks Jace.

Jace turns to me. “Yeah? Is it something different than leggings?” he asks with a smirk.

I glance down at my leggings and feel my face heat. Sam laughs but winks when she meets my gaze. “Yes. You’re going to love it, Jace. Right, Evie?” I nod and then glance at Jace. I notice the black leather jacket that he’s wearing, that he always wears even when it’s hot. I realize the outfit I’m going to wear Saturday night may not be my favorite, but he probablywilllike it. I turn back to Tessa, but before I can talk to her, Jace taps my leg, surprising me.

“Are you looking forward to our date?”

“I would be looking forward to it a lot more if I knew what it was,” I try.

He shakes his head. “Nope. It’s a surprise.”

“I don’t really like surprises,” I tell him.

“Tough.”

“I love surprises,” Tessa says from across the table.

I turn to her. “Yeah?”

“What time are you picking Evie up?” Sam asks.

“Eight,” Jace answers.

“What time is your shift tomorrow?” she asks me.

“Noon to seven-thirty.”

“Just finish at seven,” she says. “That way you have time to get ready.”

I stare at her a moment. “I don’t need an hour to get ready.”

“You will,” she says. “Trust me.”

“But my shift is until seven-thirty. I don’t want to leave everybody short-handed.”