I smooth my hands over my hair and press them against the back of my neck. “I can’t deal with her here,” I whisper harshly. “Why is everyone cool with her being here?”
Milo steps forward, as close as he can get with the counter between us. “I’m not.”
I blink too many times, wishing he’d turn into a prince and carry me away. “What happened during the car ride over?”
Milo leans his elbows on the counter as he sighs out. “I had to sit next to her because Mom was riding shotgun. Kai would keep hounding me to talk to Tabby, but I couldn’t say more than hi. I just can’t forget the way those girls treat you. It’s insane that Kai can.”
I hug my waist as my knees knock. “You think Kai doesn’t care that Tabitha’s friends say messed up things to me?”
Milo peels off the counter. “Or he’s oblivious to it?”
“She just tried it again,” I murmur, wiping under my eye. “She was about to bring up the picture of my mom. I’m surprised more people didn’t hear me yell.”
Milo throws a thumb over his shoulder. “Do you want me to ask Kai to take her home?”
I shake my head. “No, I don’t want to make a scene. Your dad will ask for the bill soon, anyway.”
He nods and clutches his elbows. “Kai said you’re hanging at the skatepark after work?”
I bite my lip and nod. “Just for a little bit. I told your mom I brought my laptop, so she didn’t think I was totally ditching my assignments.”
Milo fidgets in his stance, glancing around the prep station behind me. “No, that’s okay. I was just checking because my friends usually come over on Sundays while Kai is out with you. I just didn’t know if you’d come back home to study, or were expecting me to be free. Not that I’m saying you and I would do anything… Well, not that we can’t. I just…”
“Milo,” I cut him off. “Stop rambling. It’s fine. I’ll be with Kai for a few hours, as per usual. What do you and your friends do on Sundays, anyway?”
“Something you and Kai would no doubt ridicule us for.”
I puff a laugh and shake my head. “Okay, I get it.”
Over Milo’s shoulder, I see the front door of the cafe open. My stomach wobbles. Coach is here. I pick up the baby carrier and motion to Milo.
Milo spots Coach, swallows hard, and then looks down at Gandalf. “This is it, little buddy. Time to part ways.”
“Oh, man.” I pout. “Don’t say it like that. It sounds sad.”
Milo fidgets with his glasses as he tilts his head, watching me. “Aw, cute. You’re going to miss Gandalf.”
“Shut up.” I laugh. “Am not.”
Milo squeezes my shoulder. “Who knew Jamie West had such a tender heart?”
I groan and push past him. “Stop it. Let’s get this over with.”
We meet Coach at a small table in my section. He watches us intently. No doubt trying to figure out the weird energy flowing between us.
“How’d you two do?” Coach asks, carefully looking between Milo and me. “You survived?”
I hand the baby carrier over to Coach. “Two days was more than enough.”
Coach chuckles, resting the carrier on the table. He picks Gandalf up and deactivates him.
“Does he only have one setting?” Milo asks, gesturing at the fake baby. “Because last night was rough. How is anyone supposed to concentrate on any other assignments when this one is constantly screaming for attention?”
“It’s a wonder parents ever get anything done,” Coach says sarcastically.
“That’s the same attitude all adults have,” I say bluntly. “Is this why you don’t have kids, Coach? Did you have to do this assignment when you were at school and it turned you off for life?”
Coach gives me an exasperated sigh. “I just got a flashback of Grams asking me when I was ever going to find a nice girl and settled down.”
