Page 28 of Blush Crush

Danny waves back happily.

Layla trails behind Elyse, helping her carry out some of the order.

For a brief second, Ariana lingers behind.

Danny wipes the table with a stack of napkins, intensely focused on the task, which leaves Ariana and me standing there a little longer than either of us probably should.

“Ariana.” I smile.

“Cole.” Her brows lift like she’s waiting to see what nonsense comes out of my mouth next.

“Always a pleasure.”

I drag out the word pleasure just enough to see if she notices.

She notices, and an adorable crease forms across her forehead.

My hand reaches for Danny’s, his sticky little fingers sliding into mine. As we turn to leave, I glance back and give her a quick wink.

Her mouth drops open.

For half a second she looks like she might actually scream at me.

I chuckle to myself all the way back to the truck.

After I get Danny settled in the back seat and strapped into his booster, he clears his throat to get my attention. When I look up, his eyes meet mine in the rearview mirror.

“I don’t think that girl likes you, Uncle Cole.”

I start the engine.

“No, bud.” I pull out of the parking spot. “She definitely doesn’t.”

CHAPTER 8

Ariana

FRAGILE MAN

LAYLA

We’re going out tonight. Wear something slutty.

I don’t own anything slutty.

LAYLA

Good thing you have me. I’ll be over at six.

The last thing I feel like doing is going out. But Layla gets in these moods, and I know once the fall semester starts I won’t get to see her nearly as much, so I can’t exactly say no.

Right at six, Layla is at my apartment door, letting herself in with the key I made her.

She shuffles inside, dragging a suitcase behind her that I’m fairly certain is packed full of clothes.

“I brought options,” she says, her voice strained as she hauls the suitcase into the middle of my living room. “Lots of options.”

“Yay for me,” I reply, not bothering to sound enthused.