Page 41 of Embrace

She pulls off her helmet. “No. But I think I could do anything if you’re with me.”

•••

I’m having withdrawals.

The thought of leaving Scarlett this morning didn’t sit right with me. So, now she’s sitting in front of me, sipping on a strawberry milkshake, unaware of the whipped cream that’s found a place on her upper lip.

She chats animatedly about one of her favorite assignments, where she got to volunteer at an adoption center. Hearing Scarlett talk about herself might be my favorite thing. It’s so rare, and whenever she does it, she somehow still makes it about others. It’s fascinating.

I don’t want her to stop because she seems to be on a bit of a high, but I feel a pull to wipe the whipped cream off her lip. Just as I’m leaning forward, about to raise my hand to swipe it with my thumb, the door to Lola’s chimes, distracting me.

Cassie walks in with Cole, the twins clearly bickering over something when they spot us. There’s an awkward energy hovering over the table when they come to say hi.

“What are you two doing here?” Cole asks, sliding into the booth beside Scarlett. He smiles at her, introducing himself, and a small “I know” leaves her lips.

Cassie, on the other hand, stays standing, looking around the place like she’s never been here before. But then I touch her wrist, catching her attention, and those blue eyes land on mine.

“Hey, Cassie.”

A breath of relief leaves her, like she expected me not to talk to her. When I gesture for her to sit, she immediately slides into the booth beside me.

“Hey, I meant to ask if you want to come to Starlight Saturday night. They’re doing a small showcase and I’m singing. The person with the most votes gets a whole week off bathroom duty.” She laughs a little, and I can’t help but remember how light it used to make me feel.

Starlight Karaoke Lounge is where all the music enthusiasts go to eat, dance, drink, and sing their hearts out. We’ve had some fairly good bands play there, and Cassie’s pretty much a regular there on Thursday nights.

I used to go support her sets when we first started hanging out, but then she invited me to come less and less. I think Julia wasn’t comfortable with me cheering so loudly for her.

“We can get a whole bunch of people to attend if you need,” I tell her, looking over at Cole.

He waves a hand. “Don’t even try, man. I told her the hockey team would be there in a heartbeat, but she wants to win ‘fair and square.’ ”

She shrugs. “Seems like an unfair advantage. And besides, I’m inviting you because I want to. We had fun together, right?”

I swallow. “We did.”

“You still up for more? My set isn’t long, we can hang after.” She wears that same look she had the first time she said yes to a date.Is she asking me out?

I glance at Scarlett, who stares at her strawberry milkshake like she’s going to find the answers to her next exam there. “You want to come, Scar? That’s okay, right?” I ask Cassie.

Scarlett’s eyes widen. “Oh, you don’t have to—”

“It’ll be fun,” Cole chimes in, and I don’t love his sudden enthusiasm. “You can hang with me. Like a double date.”

Scarlett coughs, and I immediately hand her the water. I’m glaring at Cole, who still waits patiently for her answer, oblivious as fuck.

“So? You in?” he asks.

Scarlett shakes her head. “I think I’m okay. I have a lot to study.”

Cole shrugs, nodding in acquiescence.

“No, I mean like on dates.” She blushes. “Not my thing.”

The table falls silent, and I hate what the quiet implies. It’s one thing to be her friend, to try to prove that her reputation isn’t as set in stone as she fears. But it’s another to see her hold back from going out at all because of it.

“You’ll have fun,” Cassie chimes in. “Cole’s a complete gentleman, and if he’s not, I’ll kick his ass.”

Cole makes a face, and she smiles. “I can pick you up and drop you home whenever you want.”