Page 41 of Robbin’ the Rich

“He’s funny,” I admitted. “And weirdly sweet.” My mouth twitched despite myself. “Like… considerate, or whatever.”

Belle made a delighted squealing noise.

“He made me breakfast,” I added carefully.

The entire team lost their minds instantly.

“BREAKFAST?” Zella yelled.

“OH, IT’S SERIOUS,” Belle shouted over her.

“It is not serious!”

Mel looked very entertained now. “Breakfast after the first hookup is boyfriend territory.”

“No!” I pointed at her. “I did not say that.”

Belle gasped dramatically. “Did he at least make good breakfast?”

I hesitated. “French toast.”

“Oh, he wants to marry you,” Belle beamed.

I laughed while the chaos of derby practice continued in familiar noisy waves.

When my phone buzzed again in my skate bag a minute later, I caught myself smiling before I could stop it.

Mel was quick to notice. “So,” she said dryly, “how long until we all meet the priest?”

I looked down at my skates, fighting another smile. “Shut up.”

Practice ended the way Grimm Reapers practices always ended, sweaty and bruised. And somehow hungry enough to consume our combined body weight in fried food. Which was how half the team ended up migrating to Trixie's afterward.

The familiar warmth hit me the second we walked through the door. Neon beer signs glowed against dark wood walls, while classic rock played through overhead speakers. The place wasn't packed yet, only a handful of regulars scattered around.

A head of purple hair popped up from behind the bar and I smiled. Van looked up from pouring a beer and waved. The bartender's bright purple undercut practically glowed beneath the bar lights. Tattoos disappeared beneath rolled sleeves while a silver ring flashed through one eyebrow when she grinned.

"Well look what the cat dragged in."

"Be nice," Mel called.

"I’m always nice."

Belle laughed in Van’s face.

"Didn’t I ban you last week?"

Belle smiled and nodded. "And the week before that."

The team dissolved into laughter while we claimed our usual collection of tables near the back. Van shook her head fondly and went back to work.

I was halfway through stealing fries from Belle's basket when I spotted Ariel. My eyebrows shot up. She sat at one of the nearby high-top tables with a soda and basket of cheese curds while talking animatedly with a couple of women I didn’t recognize.

"Aren't you underage?" I asked, standing directly behind her.

Ariel nearly jumped out of her seat.

Then she gave me the guiltiest smile I'd ever seen. "I turn twenty-one next month… but my ID says I’m twenty-four."