Page 70 of Quarterback Sneak

“Thanks, Zane.” I’m sure it’s been longer than ten minutes by now. I snag my apron from the back and head to the register. Riley waits for me with a beaming smile.

“All right, Evie. What should I get?” I walk her through the choices, just like I do other students that don’t know what they want.

“Hot or Iced?”

She’s quick to respond. “Oh, definitely iced.” She decides to try our new blueberry lemon latte.

“I know it sounds like a nasty combination for coffee, but it’s really good,” I tell her. I don’t take her card when she tries to give it to me.

“I’ve got it.” I put it in as my free drink and then go make it. I pass her the drink when I finish and a straw. She tears the paper off the straw and shoves it into the cup. I watch as she takes a drink. “What do you think?”

She closes her eyes. “Oh, that is so good.”

I can’t help but smile at her. “I’m glad you like it.”

The door to the shop opens, and I glance that way. Reid steps inside and stops. His head jerks towards where Riley and I are standing, and then he strides towards us. “Riley, what are you doing here?” he asks in a low voice.

Riley turns around in surprise and beams at Reid. “Reidy, what are you doing here?”

He scowls at the name she calls him. “I’m here to meet Zane.”

Riley takes another drink of the latte. “This is so good, Evie. Too bad Zane doesn’t drink coffee, or I’d make him try this.”

I frown in confusion. “Zane always orders coffee when he’s in here.” I make him a dark roast every time he comes in.

Her eyebrows lift, and her eyes dance. “Fascinating. Oh, Evie.” She shakes her head, and I have no idea what is going on in her head.

“Can I get you anything, Reid?” I ask the question, but he’s still staring down at Riley. I’m not sure he even hears my question.

“Oh, Reid, try this. It’s so good. It’s a blueberry lemon iced latte.” I notice that he scowls slightly, but he accepts the drink Riley holds out to him. He takes a small sip, and I can tell immediately that he hates it...like, legit hates it.

He hands it back. “It’s great.”

I look between the two and work to hide my smile. Riley turns back to me. “Thanks so much. Don’t be a stranger.” Her eyes widen. “You should come over for dinner. Make my brother bring you.” I don’t look towards the back of the shop, but I don’teven have to worry about responding because she continues. “When do you get done here?”

I blink at the shift in conversation and glance at the clock. “In an hour.”

“Awesome.” She pulls out a pair of sunglasses and puts them on top of her head. “Where’s your favorite place to eat?”

I stare at her. “Uh, Panda Express.”

Her face lights up. “I knew we were going to be besties! That’s my favorite too. Okay, we’ll go grab lunch at Panda when you’re done. Isn’t there a Panda on campus here somewhere?” She directs her question to Reid, who nods.

Riley looks back at me. “Do you have to do anything after your shift, or can you go right to lunch?”

“I can go to lunch,” I finally say.

“Good. I’ll see you when you get done.” She walks towards the back of the coffee shop, and I watch her go. I don’t fail to notice that Reid watches her as well.

“Well, then. I need to get back to work.”

Reid nods and starts towards the back of the shop. His eyes never leave Riley, and I find myself smiling to myself. I wonder if Riley has any clue of Reid’s interest in her. To me, it couldn’t be any more obvious, but something tells me she doesn’t have a clue. Zane doesn’t either; I’m pretty sure. I smile to myself and get back to work. Riley, Zane, and Reid stay at the back of the shop the entire time, huddled together in conversation. From what I’ve been able to observe, it’s mostly Riley that talks.

When I finish my shift and clock out, Riley walks towards the counter with a huge smile on her face. “Are you ready for lunch?”

Her smile is contagious, and I feel myself giving her a small smile in return. She threads her arm through mine. “Let’s go eat our weight in orange chicken.”

Chapter 31