But the look in Otis’s eyes promised mischief. And probably heartbreak.
“I think we can squeeze it in,” he said, not even pretending to look away from Jeremy.
May glanced up from her tea. “I know a place around the corner.”
The place, as it turned out, was far too fancy for my wallet. Cloth napkins. Actual cloth napkins. It was calledRepas Courte, a French seaside-inspired restaurant that served meals so tiny you needed five to feel full.
I tried to telepathically signal to Otis that I couldn’t afford this, but he was glued to Jeremy to whole time.You would think he’d never seen a man before.?
“You’re drooling,” I whispered as someone took my coat. I had to stifle the urge to hunch over and hide my valuables.?
“Mh,” he grunted, completely entranced.
We were seated at a table for six beneath a chandelier that glittered like diamonds. May sat across from me. Jeremy was across from Otis, who was now grilling him about star signs and compatibility. Something about Ennegrams and rising suns.
I resigned myself to chatting with May.
“When you said you knew a place,” I said, adjusting my short dress, “I was expecting something a little more low-key. Maybe something that doesn’t come dusted in edible gold.”
A server in a crisp button-up and suspenders brought over a decanter of water.
“My family owns the place,” May said with a casual shrug.
Otis blinked. “This place is fancy AF.”
“Please don’t say AF,” I said.
“That’s my sister,” May added, nodding toward our waitress, who handed me a wine menu.
“Hey, M. You missed family trivia night,” the server said, looking distinctly like May but younger. Same curly hair. Same arched nose.
“I wanted to give you a chance to win for once,” May replied with a smirk.
Her sister rolled her eyes, then turned to me, waiting for my order.
“I’ll have… that one,” I said, pointing at the cheapest wine on the list. “Can’t tell the difference anyway.”
“Neither can I.” May shrugged. “Don’t worry—dinner’s on me. I get a nice discount.”
She smiled and casually looped a piece of yarn around her finger.
I could swear the table let out a collective sigh.
At that moment, John dropped into the seat beside me. I jumped so hard I knocked over my water glass.
“JesusfuckingChrist.” I clutched my throat. “Can you notwarna person before ambushing them?”
John rolled up his sleeves and planted both elbows on the table. “I would hardly call sitting in a chair an ambush.”
I glared and started blotting the table with one of the fancy cloth napkins.
“I’m so sorry,” I said as the waitress approached.
“Why doyourguests always have to be the messy ones?” she asked, unimpressed.
“Because I love you so much,” May replied sweetly, not even glancing up from her hot pink yarn.
“I feel like I’ve missed something,” John said, frowning.
