Page 61 of Quarterback Sneak

Zane walks over to stand next to Reid. He doesn’t even say a word, and Reid stands up and moves to another chair. Zane slides in across from me and hands me a white Styrofoam box. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

I notice his two boxes. “Oh, is one of those Tessa’s.”

“Nope. They’re both mine.”

It should shock me, but after Quint’s meal, I don’t think it’s possible. “It must take a lot of calories to do what you guys do, huh?”

“A ton,” Quint says as he shovels in another bite.

I open my box and stare down at the chicken and chow mein; I think I’ve pretty much died and gone to Heaven. “Are you going to stare at it, or eat it?” I hear the humor in Zane’s voice.

“I’m just giving myself a moment to appreciate it.” He laughs, and I pick up my fork. I pick the best-looking piece of orange chicken, the one with the most sauce and pop it into my mouth. I close my eyes and moan at the taste; it’s quite possibly the best thing I’ve ever eaten. I hear a sound, like a low growl, and my eyes flick open. Zane is staring at me with those green eyes that look lighter than normal. I lose myself in those piercing eyes a moment.

“Is it good, Evie?”

Quint’s loud voice shakes me out of...whatever that was. “So good.” I take another bite, this time keeping the moan trapped inside. I slow down after a few bites and notice Zane’s boxes. “What did you get?” I ask curiously.

“A little of everything. Want to try anything?”

“I don’t know. I always get the orange chicken.”

His eyebrows rise in surprise. “Always? You've never even tried something else from there?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

I stare at him. “Because I love the orange chicken. Why would I get something else when I know I love that.”

He grins at me. “Okay. But since I have all this, try something. Here.” He stabs his fork into something and hands it to me.

“What is it?” I ask.

He shrugs. “I don’t really know.”

“Oh, that one’s good,” Quint says. “It’s Beijing Beef.”

“I don’t usually eat beef,” I say.

Quint’s eyes dance. “Well, that’s not good. This guy here is part beef.” He slaps Zane on the shoulder. Zane doesn’t even react.

“Oh, my word,” Tessa says, joining us suddenly and sliding into the seat next to me. “Remind me to order before the beefcake next time. They had to remake everything.”

Zane grins and pops a piece of chicken into his mouth. “Sorry.”

“No, you’re not,” she says saucily and takes a bite. “Oooo, fresh orange chicken. Okay, never mind. All is forgiven.”

“That was fast,” I say shaking my head.

I finally eat the piece Zane gave me. “Huh, it’s actually pretty good.”

“What is?” Tessa asks.

“Whatever Zane fed me.”

She turns to me, her nose scrunched up. “He’s feeding you now?”