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“All good.” I wave her off. “Have fun at school pickup.”
Kenzie gives a playful roll of her eyes. “Thanks.”
As I place the last setting on the counter against the large street-facing window, an idea strikes. “Ollie?”
His hands still as he looks over his shoulder. “What’s up?”
“Got plans tonight?”
“Couple hours of band practice after work. Other than that, nope.” Oliver turns back to the coffee maker and wipes the warmer plates. “You have something in mind?”
I enter the server alley, set the excess placemats and silverware in the bins below the counter, then sidle up to Oliver near the coffee maker as he cleans it.
“Movie night?” I suggest. “I’ll message Sky and Dee Dee in the group chat, see if they’re down.” Inching closer, I push out my bottom lip. “I mean, after all your probing”—I cock a brow, pun somewhat intended—“it’s the least you can do.”
Dropping the cleaning rag, he turns and mirrors my stance, incredulity written all over his face. For a beat, we simply stare at each other, both of us doing our damnedest not to break. In the end, it’s me who laughs first. He rolls his eyes, then joins in on my laughter.
“You don’t need to guilt trip me, K. Of course, I’ll be at movie night. Pizza?”
“Yes, please.” I pull my phone from my back pocket and unlock it, tapping the screen until I open our group chat. “Let me confirm with Sky and Dee Dee.”
“If I’m buying dinner, I vote no sappy romance movies.”
My eyes lift to his, my brows scrunching together. “What the hell kind of bullshit is that?”
“Hey, I’m not the one who tried to guilt trip me.” He shrugs. “No romance if you want me to get dinner.”
I narrow my eyes. Wait a moment to see if he’ll cave under my stern gaze. My phone locks during the staredown and, against every instinct, I give in. “Fine,” I huff out. “You win.”
Waking my phone up, I type out a text.
Movie night at Chateau K & Dee Dee? Ollie says he’ll feed us pizza.
Oliver digs out his phone and unlocks it. His fingers dance across the screen as he responds to the group. My phone buzzes in my hand and I look down to see what he wrote.
Ollie
Not like I had much choice ?? Ms. Blackmail
I stick my tongue out at him as my phone buzzes again.
Sky
Count me in. Law has a late last minute meeting.
Skylar moved out of our house a little over a week ago and moved in with her new beau, Lawrence. We text almost daily, but I miss her face already. I keep that to myself, not wanting to add more to her plate as she adjusts to her new place and living with her boyfriend.
I press down on her message and tap the heart reaction as my phone buzzes with a text from Delilah.
Dee Dee
Shift at the bookstore ends at 4. Stopping by Sage Whisperer to see if mom needs help. Then I’ll be home.
I tap the heart reaction on Delilah’s text too.
Later babes ??
“Am I also a babe?” Oliver teases.
