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No, I didn’t want to party like a rich boy, but where exactly was she taking me?
Ellie knocked at the door to a basement apartment and was admitted. Though the fluorescent lights made the tiny kitchen look like a crime scene, the seven people all seemed happy to meet me, squeezed in around one small folding table piled high with board games. I recognized Tiffany and Jenna, but the other five people were new to me: Tiffany’s friend Owen and his sisters, and two other guy friends.
“Davis,” Tiffany said, gesturing at the three guys in their late twenties at the table, “will you please tell Team Testosterone over here that there’s no shame in losingRiskto a woman?”
“I likeRisk,” said one of the men.
“Owen.” Tiffany rolled her eyes. “You know I’ll still take you out first if I have to.” I couldn’t tell if she was flirting.
He pretended to wince. “Oh, I know it. I’m still smarting from your last European campaign.”
“How aboutScrabble?” offered one of the other guys. “We haven’t played in forever.”
“There are too many of us.”
Jenna hopped up from the table and got me a plate of cheap pepperoni pizza and a cup of store brand soda without me asking. The small gesture—someone taking care of me—reminded me of Cassie. “Thank you so much,” I said.
She smiled. “Sorry we don’t have a gala table to offer you.”
“They’re overrated—and overpriced anyway.” I’d certainly paid too much for that night.
“Oh!” Ellie clapped. “I know! You two should go out!” She pointed to me and Jenna.
Before my freshly broken heart could flinch, Jenna shook her head. “No, no, no, no way.”
I didn’t know whether to be riled or relieved at that speedy of a rejection.
Jenna turned to me. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean it that way. No offense.”
“None taken.” Mostly. I wasn’t in a place to be good company anyway.
“You’re not seeing anyone,” Ellie pointed out to her roommate. “You deserve some fun!”
“Ooh, there’s your problem.” I shrugged. “I’m no fun, Jenna can tell.”
Ellie sprang up from her seat. “That isn’t true!”
“That’s not what I meant,” Jenna protested, but Ellie ignored her.
“If he’s so much fun,” Tiffany drawled, “why aren’t you dating him, El?”
“Number one.” Ellie counted on her fingers, taking the bait. “I already know how to have fun. I probably have more fun on a daily basis than anyone here!”
The men in the room made a general sound of agreement (or surrender). Owen’s sisters glanced at one another, not saying anything.
“Number two,” Ellie continued, “Davis is practically a brother to me.”
I kept my mouth shut and absolutely did not point out I’d scarcely seen her since I was sixteen or so.
On the other hand, that was more than I’d seen Everett. Or my real sister, who’d died before I could remember. So, yes, actually, that would be exactly in line with my siblings.
“Look at him.” Ellie grabbed my chin like she was about to proclaim how adorable my cheeks were. “How can you resist this face?”
“Ellie, really—” I started, and she removed her hand.
“Sorry.” Jenna was already blushing furiously. “I just—I don’t date people from work.”
Ellie frowned. “I thought it was only doctors.”
