Page 57 of Finding My Charming

“Yeah. I thought so.”

The salad morphed into her face, and my aggression increased. Best friends were supposed to show love and support. Not push their friends past their limit to the point of planning their demise.

“Even if I am, it doesn’t change anything.”

She made a humming noise as if she was considering how to prove me wrong.

I didn’t want to hear it right now. “Stop it! Whatever you’re thinking stops now.” I watched her for a few seconds, but she kept her focus on her salad, forking a few pieces, bringing it to her mouth, chewing, and repeating. I finally gave in and ate my own in mutual silence.

When she was done, she pushed her plate away and crossed her hands on the edge of the table in a demure fashion. “If you had proof would it help?”

My brow furrowed, and I dropped my utensil from my mouth. “What are you talking about?”

Before I could stop her, she was out of her seat and crossing the dining area, heading directly to Dallin. Oh no. Nothing good can come from this. I hopped up to follow her, but when I caught the mischievous gleam in her eyes as she glanced over her shoulder, I changed my mind.

I sat back down and pulled out my phone to look busy. I’d rather not have any part of whatever was happening.

Minutes later, Ari returned with a smug grin.

“Whatever it is I don’t want to know.”

“I’m pretty sure you do.”

“I promise you I don’t,” I growled.

“You’re beautiful, funny, and any guy would be lucky to date you.” She sat back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest like an evil mastermind. How had I never noticed this side of her?

“That’s an incredibly strange thing to say, but thank you. I think the same of you.”

“Oh, that’s not coming from me. That’s what Dallin said about you.”

My chest immediately constricted, and I could hear my blood pounding in my head. This was how I’d go. Death by embarrassment.

“I can see the panic attack happening on your face. Breathe, you freak.”

I fought against every instinct to reach across the table and wrap my hands around her skinny neck. Violence was not my normal reaction, but she was really pushing me today.

“I just asked him for a box since you were too nervous to eat your salad. He asked what you were nervous about, so I told him you had a date tonight but didn’t know if the guy was really interested in you or not. He said if a guy goes through the effort of asking you on a real date, he’s interested. Simple as that. He then went on — without any prompting from me — that he thought you’re really funny, sarcastic actually, and that you’re beautiful, and finally that any guy would be lucky to date you.”

She finished and sat there with a huge smile like she’d just told me she was gifting me a million dollars. I blinked a few times. My thoughts weren’t processing at a normal rate. It was like one word was going through at a time.

Unfortunately, my brain finally caught up.

“That is flattering and all, but none of that actually means he’s interested in me. That’s something any kind human would say to someone, especially when he’s trying to make a good impression with you.” I gave her a look and continued. “Frankly, those are words my grandma would use to describe me. Or a friend. Or a complete stranger. Or the boy who frequently delivers food to where I — and my rather intimidating father — work.”

She groaned and threw her head back. “You’re impossible.”

“Just practical.”

That got me another dirty look when she scooted her chair back and stood. I laughed and followed her out.

We crossed the street in silence. She stopped in front of the office and folded her arms.

“Look. I know it’s hard for you to believe that a guy could be interested in you. I don’t understand why it’s so unfathomable, but I know it’s how you think.”

“Because no guy has ever been interested. I’ve always been their friend or a means to get to you.”

She straightened and dropped her arms to her sides. “That’s not true. I told you about several guys who had told me flat out that they were interested in going out with you, but you refused to believe me!”