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It was silly, but I didn’t want to end up helping out somewhere where I might run into people I knew. A decision I was more than happy with, given the news about my father.
I still couldn’t believe it. He hadn’t held down a job for almost five years. And suddenly, out of the blue, he was the Lakers’ new assistant coach?
It didn’t make any sense.
We headed out of the English Department building taking the path toward my favorite coffee shop Roast ‘n’ Go.
“How’s therapy going?” I changed the subject.
“Good. It’s still the early days, but I like Marlene, and having Jordan to talk to helps.”
Jordan was a mutual friend of Ella’s. She had an eating disorder too and had been nothing but supportive of Aurora.
“I’m glad it’s working out.”
“Me too. You know, I dream about being able to eat out with my boyfriend and our friends. But I’m not there yet.”
“Give yourself time. You’ll get there.”
It wasn’t the same, but I knew all about feeling alienated when it came to social eating. Being celiac, I’d always found eating in public difficult. Gluten-free options were a lot better nowadays, but I’d had some awful experiences when I was younger. Being unable to eat at family gatherings because no one had catered for the awkward child who needed a special diet. Mom having to quiz the servers about gluten-free options whenever we were dining out. My father complaining constantly about what a nuisance myconditionwas.
Like I could help it.
Like I asked to be born with a serious auto-immune disease that significantly increased my chances of developing any number of serious health conditions.
His arrogance was as frustrating as it was hurtful. But a lot of people didn’t get it. They didn’t understand that even the smallest amount of gluten could wreak havoc on your body: diarrhea, constipation, reflux, fatigue, and insomnia. Being celiac was nothing if not glamorous, and the prospect of beingglutenedwas every celiac’s worst nightmare.
Rory opened the door to the coffee shop, and we filed inside. The rich aroma of coffee beans filled my senses. But I was here for the chai tea.
“I’ll get these; you go find a table,” she said.
I scanned the shop, making a beeline for a table near the back. I’d barely gotten situated when the door swung open, and Noah and some of the team piled inside.
Guess we weren’t having girls’ time after all.
I watched with that usual pang of jealousy as he slid his arms around her waist from behind and pressed a lingering kiss to her neck. I could practically hear the dreamy sighs of every girl in the vicinity.
Noah Holden was hot property on campus. At least, he had been before Aurora Hart barreled into his life and stole his heart.
He was with Ward Cutler, Leon Banks, and—
Mason Steele.
Ugh.
I hadn’t noticed him behind Ward.
He caught me staring and narrowed his eyes, his arctic gaze turning everything inside me cold.
The guys waited in line with Rory, following behind with their drinks when she headed toward me.
“Do you mind?” she asked me sheepishly, and I shrugged.
What else could I do?
It wasn’t like I could admit that I didn’t want to be anywhere near Mason after he so cruelly dismissed me the other night.
“I got snacks.” Noah threw a couple of bags of chips down on the table. “Dig in,” he said to me.
