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“At Lakeview?” Luca frowned.
JT nodded. “She’s a junior.”
“Whatever. Just remember Ella’s mine.” Luca checked him in the ribs good humoredly, while I grimaced.
“Like I’d make a move. Gabby would have me by the balls,” JT said. At the same time, the line shifted, and our eyes locked.
JT fell silent as he registered the sight of me behind the counter, and his smile widened. Like an animal stalking its prey, he licked his lips and moved closer. It was too late to glance away. Too late to pretend I wasn’t listening to their conversation or to excuse myself to the bathroom. I was caught eavesdropping, and judging by the malicious gleam in his eye, he was none too excited to see me standing there.
“Speaking of Ella, look who it is, boys.” He nodded his head in my direction. “Poor Casper here had his sights set on her too. One girl chooses to partner with him in class, and he’s in love. Should we break the news to him she’s Luca’s?”
I lowered my head and stared at the remaining bakery items on display, wishing Scarlett would hurry in the back or the other girl working the counter would finish with her current customer so I could bail and she could wait on JT and his goons.
“I didn’t have my sights set on her,” I mumbled, though it was a lie. Maybe he was right. I was a fool for thinking I could win her over, especially with guys like Luca sniffing around her like a dog to a coon.
“What did you say, nerd?”
“Nothing. I just . . . I said I wasn’t setting my sights on her.” I swallowed and nudged my glasses up on my nose, a nervous habit, before I glanced at Luca, who if I didn’t know any better, looked slightly uncomfortable.
“It sure looked like you were drooling over her to me.”
I said nothing, because if there was one thing I learned over the years, it was that keeping quiet and letting JT get his kicks in was the quickest way to get rid of him.
“Can I get you guys something?” Jenny finally asked, and I wanted to pull her in and kiss her.
JT shook his head and pointed to me. “Nah. I wanthimto take my order.”
She hesitated and glanced at me before she raised her hands up and walked away, heading into the back room while my cheeks burned with embarrassment, and all I could think was,Thanks for the backup.
Several girls at a nearby table glanced up and stared, as if sensing the tension.
“I’ll take a blended mocha.” JT grinned like the Cheshire Cat. “With extra whip.”
With a sigh, I turned toward the coffee station and dumped ice, coffee, cream, and chocolate syrup into the blender, listening as the machine whirred loudly before I flicked it off and dumped the icy drink into a plastic cup and added whipped cream. Turning, I slid it toward him, but he swiped it with the back of his hand, knocking it over. Icy coffee went everywhere, coating my hand, splattering the nearby display case, and dripping down the counter.
“Oh, oops. Guess that’s why they have lids.”
Great. I forgot the lid, and now I have a mess to clean up.
I shook out my hand, then turned behind me and grabbed some paper towels.
“Make me another one, nerd. With a lid this time. And more whip.”
I ground my teeth and turned for the machine, throwing the giant sticky wad of paper towels in the nearby trash can with athwack.
“Come on, man. Just leave the dork alone,” Luca said from behind.
“What? I’m just having a little fun, dude. Lighten up.”
I remade JT’s coffee and handed it to him, but this time, he merely took it with a grin and practically threw his money at me, before I glanced at Luca in question. “You want anything?” I asked, a hint of challenge in my voice.
“Nah. I’m good, man,” he said. “Sorry about that.” Then he turned with the other guys, and they headed back outside into the fading afternoon.
“Barry—” a voice called out behind me.
I spun around to see Scarlett glaring holes through the Royal’s backs on their way out the door. “Jenny told me there was someone out here harassing you. I should’ve figured.”
So Jenny hadn’t bailed on me after all.
