Chapter 25 #3
Milo moves over to the counter, and I stop Kai from following. I cross my arms and look him up and down. “Why didn’t you tell me you’re with Tabitha to protect her?”
He looks at me with confusion. “What are you talking about?”
“Tabitha said she sits at our lunch table for protection from her friends.”
“Oh, yeah, that. Well, it’s kinda true. Mostly, I just want her around.”
“Is she with you because she’s running away from her friends?”
Kai searches for Tabitha. “What did she tell you?”
“That Camila is angry and unreasonable.”
Kai angles his face down and says, “Camila says messed up things to people at school, even Tabitha. But what she says to her isn’t public. You think their lives are perfect because they’re beautiful. You don’t know the hard time Tabby’s having at school. She’s told me a lot of stuff in secret.”
“Really?”
“I’ll just say, she’s trying to distance herself from Camila, but any chances she takes backfire.” Kai strains against his irate frown. “I don’t like seeing anyone I’m close to get upset.”
Involuntarily, jealousy bubbles up inside me. “Do you say more comforting things to her than ‘buck up?’”
He gives me side-eye. “Huh?”
“This whole time, you’ve acted like you didn’t notice Tabitha was part of the clique that torments me.”
“You can handle yourself. You always put Tyler and the other guys in their place. I haven’t seen Tabitha handle herself the way you do. You two could actually help each other out.”
I groan. “Because it’s always my fault how I interact with other girls.”
Kai rolls his eyes. “Why is your conversation with Tabitha causing us to argue?”
“Because she’s your girlfriend.”
“And you’re supposed to be my best friend.”
I stare at him hard. “I am.”
“Then can you just trust I’m with a nice girl and stop bugging me about it?”
“As long as you remember, friendship is a two-way street.”
“You really hate that I’m with her, don’t you?” He steps away, putting distance between us. “I already told you I’m trying to balance my time between you and her.”
I step forward so I don’t have to yell in front of strangers. “I don’t care that you spend time with your girlfriend. I get that it’s important and exciting.”
He nudges me toward the society ladies. “How about you put effort into this meeting? I’ll show you what support looks like.”
I stumble on my footing from his heavy-handed nudge. “Geez, thanks.”
My eyes wander from the society ladies over to Milo at the counter. My gaze becomes laser-focused, watching Christie lean in to talk with him.
What the heck? Why are they talking? Is it about Ash? Is it about me?
I hurry toward the counter, ensuring I get there ahead of Kai.
“So, what do you think?” Christie asks, clasping her hands in front.
Milo’s visibly nervous as he stammers his response. He looks over Christie’s shoulder at me, and then back to her. “No, ahh. Umm. I’m not sure.”
“Aww, but you’ll have a great time,” Christie urges. “She’s not like she was in school. I promise. Meghan would love a date for this event. You’ll have so much fun.”
My jaw drops. Meghan? Christie’s trying to get Milo to date Meghan?
I turn to Kai, and his attention is squarely on Tabitha. If I snap my fingers at him, I bet I’d be on mute.
Milo rubs behind his neck, looking down at his shoes. “Well, umm. I’m kinda… Look, I dunno. I’ll think about it. Okay?”
Christie nods enthusiastically. “That’s brilliant. I just think you two will look so cute together.”
Ugh! How do I stop this?
Christie turns around and smiles at me. “Everyone’s loving the food. It’s going wonderfully.”
My jaw clenches as I fake a smile. “Thanks.”
Christie walks back to the table, and Milo umms and ahhs at me.
“You won't get a signal while the storm keeps up,” he says, gesturing at the computer. “Maybe try your phone instead?”
With Kai beside me, I keep my cool. “Thanks for trying. I know she’d want a better view than from my phone. They’re finishing eating anyway, and then they’ll get to their meeting. I’ll call Maddy afterwards.”
Milo’s smile twitches. “Sorry I couldn’t help.”
I nod glumly.
“Hey, how was your burger?” Tabitha asks, clutching Kai’s hand.
“Awesome, as per usual.” He glances at me. “Couldn’t help looking over here, though.”
“To watch me crash and burn,” I grumble.
“Don’t be so harsh on yourself,” Tabitha says sweetly. “You actually did really well. And the food and shakes speak for themselves. I already told Mom we have to come next Sunday for the pancake stacks.” She giggles. “My brothers are like bottomless pits, so you might want to make extra batter.”
I find myself smiling. “Thanks, Tabby.”
An ecstatic grin stretches on Kai’s face from the use of Tabitha’s nickname.
“Umm, I never actually congratulated you two,” I say, awkwardly shifting my weight. “You two look like a nice couple and seem to want to spend time together. It tripped me out at first, but I wanted you to know, I’m happy for you.”
Kai smiles, slinging an arm around me. “Thanks, James. And sorry for the hostility over there. Some people say I’m defensive.”
I slide Kai’s arm off me. “Ah, I just learned this makes Tabitha uncomfortable.”
Kai looks at Tabitha in surprise while she blurts, “No, no, it’s fine.”
I giggle. “She thought something was going on between us.”
“Jamie told me the thought of being with you makes her sick,” Tabitha says bluntly.
Kai smirks. “Thanks.”
“It put my mind at ease,” Tabitha says, giving me a wink.
Kai scoops his arms around Tabitha’s waist. “How could you think I’d have eyes for any other girl?”
“I just didn’t know the history between you and Jamie. I’ve never seen a girl and guy, who aren’t a couple, be so close.”
Kai nods at the table of society ladies. “Should you be getting back to that?”
Tabitha groans, stepping back from Kai. “Yep. My mom is giving me the stink eye.”
Kai moves back to the booth and Milo approaches cautiously. “You okay?”
I nod. “I’m fine.”
“You just congratulated Kai and Tabitha on being a couple. You can’t be feeling okay?”
“Oh, that.” I move further away from the society table and lower my voice. “I saw where Kai was coming from. Tabitha has a bad habit of coming across the wrong way. From what I can tell, it’s a facade. She’s apparently getting bullied by Camila as much as I am.”
“Really? Aren’t they friends?”
“They are. Her only friends are mean girls. No wonder she wants to hang around Kai all the time.”
“That’d be the only reason,” Milo jokes.
“Seriously, it seems like Kai has been a confidant for her. I’m happy for them.”
“They’re constantly together, so I’m not surprised they’ve become close.” His hand subtly brushes mine. “Just like us. Although, to be honest, I wouldn’t mind if you and Kai weren’t as close.”
A surprised laugh puffs out of me. “What?”
“I get you two are best friends.” His pinky hooks mine. “It’s just that I want to be the one that gets to hug you and be close to you.”
“Well, you do get to, just not publicly.” Goosebumps sprout from my fingers up to my shoulder. “I get how that feels like not enough. But I just heard what Christie asked you? You said you’d think about it.”
“Because I was put on the spot,” he says in a rush. “Believe me, I have no interest in Meghan. I wanted to tell Christie I’m only interested in one girl.” He gulps. “I just didn’t think you’d be okay with me telling her that.”
I glimpse the table, then steal my eyes back in his direction. “I don’t want you dating any other girls.”
His smile is small. “I don’t want that either. I just want you.”
The goosebumps intensify, and I muffle my giggle as a blush heats my face. “I should get back to the ladies.”
He throws a thumb back at the laptop. “Do you want me to keep trying Maddy?”
“No, it’s okay. She’ll definitely be freaking out right now.” I pull out my phone. “I’ll send her a quick text that I hope gets through.”
Milo gives me an adorable smile and slinks back to the booth with his brother.
I turn to the ladies, clear my throat, and slowly every eye lands on me. “I really hope you all enjoyed the food. I know I speak for my aunt when I say we’d really love to cater your event.”
Mrs. Fisher clears her throat as she dabs a paper napkin against her painted lips.
Everyone’s focus switches to her. “Well, what can I say?” she begins, dusting off her hands.
“Everything was sublime. The pastry was flaky, the fillings were light and fluffy. Don’t even get me started on the sugary heaven that are those milkshakes. ”
I’m shaking. I grab onto the back of my empty chair, scared I’ll become a wobbly mess on the floor.
“Do you have the final costings?” she asks. “I’d love to run over them during our meeting.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I say eagerly. “I’ll get them.”
I race back to the office, so excited I almost trip over my feet. I find the printed quote on Aunt Maddy’s desk, and hightail it back to the table.
“Here you are, ma’am,” I say, handing it to Mrs. Fisher with a shaky hand. “Again, thank you for the opportunity. Aunt Maddy will be thrilled.” I pan across the table. “To all of you, truly, thank you.”
I receive a mess of happy replies and leave them to conduct the rest of their meeting. I rush behind the counter and lean into the food pass.
“Jake! We got the job!”
Jake’s larger-than-life grin greets me and he throws up two thumbs up. “Excellent. Never doubted you, sport.”
“You got it?” Laura gasps behind me.
I turn around and pull her into a hug. “Maddy will be doing cartwheels.”
Laura strokes my back. “Well done, Jamie.”
I thank her and leave the counter, making my way to the twins. I scoot into the booth beside Kai and can’t contain my smile. “We got the job!”
Kai crooks an arm behind my neck. “That’s awesome.”
“Yeah, congrats, Jamie,” Milo says across the table.
I look at him while leaning into Kai and give a small smile. “Thank you.”
Kai releases me, asking, “What shall we do to celebrate? Skatepark?”
“Hello?” I point to the water-streaked windows. “It’s raining, you goof.”
Kai laughs. “Oh, yeah. Well, video game night?”
I shrug. “I dunno. I still have to work this afternoon and there’s still homework to catch up on.”
“Come on.” Kai huffs. “Even Milo doesn’t study every night.”
“Give her a break,” Milo defends. “All her teachers have assigned her extra homework.”
“Why don’t you hang with Tabby,” I suggest. “Milo is here because we are planning to study.”
Kai squints at me. “I thought you were working.”
“I’m doing both. This is the new me. I multi-task.”
Kai throws his head back with a laugh. “Ha. I’ve only seen you care about soccer or rollerblading, and you never tried to do them simultaneously.”
“Oh, gosh.” I wince. “That sounds like an accident waiting to happen.”
“So does Milo,” Kai teases.
I whack Kai’s arm. “Cool it. He’s not doing anything to deserve these jabs.”
“Umm, ouch,” Kai says, rubbing his arm. “Doesn’t mean you can jab me.”
I slide out of the booth. “I gotta get back to work.” I turn to Milo. “Are you still cool to stick around?”
His head tilts upward as he smiles and nods.
Kai shimmies out of the booth. “Okay, I don’t need to see my brother looking at you like a trained puppy. I’m outta here.”
“What about your girlfriend?” I ask.
“She told me these meetings run long. I’ll tell her to text me when she’s done.”
Kai moves over to the table, tapping Tabitha on the shoulder. He leans down and whispers something that she nods along with. He pecks her cheek, gets a round of awes from the table, and then he leaves the cafe.
I edge my way back to Milo. “Hi,” I whisper, leaning in close enough to graze his cheek with my lips.
His hand gently strokes mine. “I’m so proud of you for standing in front of those women and talking about the food. You did amazing.”
I grit my teeth and my gut twists. “It was pretty rocky.”
He nods. “I was worried about you. But you got it together. You’re amazing, Jamie.”
I stroke his cheek and sigh. “Again. How did I survive without you?”
He looks up at me with a glint in his eyes. “I’ll tell Christie I can’t be Meghan’s date. I only have eyes for you.”
“Dang. Why do people have to be here? I want to kiss you so badly.”
He rubs his lips together. “You sure you still want to keep this a secret?”
I force myself away from him and slowly shake my head as I back away.