Page 29 of The Fractured

“What do you mean by that?”

I rubbed the bridge of my nose. “Why do you think I continued fighting for him?”

“Ah, gotcha.” He tapped his temple with his pen and then wrote something down in his notebook. “You know your leg bounces when you’re avoiding a topic or irritated?”

“I thought you wanted my help with Antonio. What’s with diggin’ intomypast?”

“As I said, trying to figure out what kind of man you are.”

Chapter 10

Seb

I’m going on a bubble tea date with Kira—It’s not a date. Don’t get too excited—but I’m already excited. She doesn’t want anything. It’s too soon after dick face—I should’ve drawn a dick on his face after cutting his man bun off. All she needs is a friend. Be her friend—Red light!

I hit the brakes hard, and the front wheel of my bike screeched in protest, turning some heads as I came to a halt at the crosswalk. I gave the people watching a small wave.

Nothing could put me in a bad mood right now, not even their unappreciative stares after I had almost run the red light.

When the light turned green, I sped off again en route to Lana’s Café nestled in Bay Ridge.

Calm, calm, calm. Be calm.

I spotted Kira’s hair first as I pulled up to the curb several shops from the café with its pink umbrellas. The fiery red of her long curls was like a beacon in the crowd and the overcast day.

As she waited at a table, she had that vintage film camera of hers pointed up at the buildings across the street, taking photosof the detailed architecture and the pigeons sitting along the ledges.

It didn’t take her long to spot me either.

A breathtaking smile spread on her face as she waved me over. It took everything in me not to run to her. I was taking it slow. She also wasn’t aware of the effect she had on me, so it would be weird if I rushed at her.

She was wearing skintight jeans with an oversized olive-green sweater. Two bubble teas were already on the table.

Given the space between us as I left my bike, helmet tucked under my arm, we were in that awkward phase of being unable to say hello yet, but also being aware that we had spotted each other. So, she lifted her camera and aimed the lens at me. I grinned and threw up a peace sign.

As she put the camera away, and I was in earshot, trying to contain my excitement, she gestured to the drinks on the table. “There was a line, and I didn’t want to miss out because they have specials on today, so I ordered one I think you’ll like.”

“Honestly, I’d drink or eat anything you thought I’d like.”Reel it in, moron.

I knew I wore my heart on my sleeve, but this was ridiculous. She needed a friend, not someone batting their eyelashes at her because she had pretty hair and a smile that might end me.

Kira let out a little laugh, one that wrinkled the bridge of her nose, and I took the seat across from her.

“Okay,” she began, pushing one of the drinks in my direction. “Moment of truth; will Sebastian enjoy The Tea?”

I considered the drink, feigning seriousness as I pretended to study its weight, height, and straw closely. Kira grinned as I did.

When I took the first sip, she waited in silence, holding her breath as she raised her eyebrows in anticipation. Me enjoying this drink was important to her. And I did enjoy it. Not just thedrink, as the flavors exploded in my mouth, but her company too.

“Consider my mind blown, Kira.” I had another mouthful of the drink. “I don’t think my taste buds have tasted anything better.”

This earned me another smile as she tucked her hair behind her ear. It also brought a light tinge of pink to her face.

I cleared my throat and averted my gaze to the crowded sidewalk. With people milling about or bustling by, the space around our table was quickly disappearing in the hustle. I glanced at Kira to see that she seemed to think the same thing, especially when someone accidentally knocked our table with their laptop bag as they passed.

“Maybe we could walk and talk?” she suggested, already gathering her things and her drink.

“Good idea.”