Page 58 of The Gaybor War

Benji's gaze drops to my shirt. "You know you're tempting fate with that thing, right?"

I glance down at my plain white shirt.

"How?"

"It's white."

"So?"

"It's basically begging to be stained."

"Pretty sure I can eat chili without wearing it."

Benji chuckles, and I’m positive I can hear him mocking my words under his breath. I can feel him mocking me. The sound follows me all the way back to my table.

Which is irritating. Mostly because I have the distinct feeling he's about to be proven right.

The girls notice everything. Candace actually fans herself. Kiki stage-whispers, "If they don’t kiss soon, I’m filing a complaint."

Benji straightens, addressing the room. "Everyone remember—taste responsibly. Hydrate. Some of us brought heat."

I roll my eyes.

He finally looks at me then. Not just a glance or the casual acknowledgment we've been pretending is enough all afternoon.

He looks, his mouth curves, and a flash of something pleased and entirely too knowing settles in his expression. Then he winks.

My brain short-circuits.

The spoon tilts.

A dark streak of chili slides down the front of my white shirt like fate has finally gotten tired of waiting for me to embarrass myself.

Benji inhales a bit too sharply for a man who just predicted this with smug confidence.

I stare down at myself. Then back up at him. "Do not say one word."

His lips disappear between his teeth. The effort alone tells me he's moments from death.

"Benji."

His shoulders shake. "I didn't say anything."

"You inhaled."

"That was concern."

"It was delight."

"A little of both."

The girls explode. Kiki makes a noise that sounds suspiciously like a referee's whistle. Candace grabs Shania's arm. Malia doubles over laughing.

"WHITE," Malia wheezes. "YOU WORE WHITE."

"I warned you," Benji says, finally losing the battle with his smile. "Classic rookie mistake."

"This is not funny." I’m painfully aware of how warm my face feels.