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“Ahh, yes. The One Where Noelie Fake-Dry-Humped Uncle Jameson on The Dock.”
“Okay, I did notdry humphim.”
“I’d need a cigarette after a kiss like that,” he rebutted, earning a stifled laugh from Elora as she hid her face inside the ceramic mug. Refusing to admit the heat climbing up my neck was inevitably the world’s most humiliating shade of lobster red, I narrowed my eyes on Max.
“Also, was that just aFriendsreference?”
“You know it.”
“I knew I liked you.”
“Even with our incessant pestering?”
“To be determined.”
“Find me a man to climb on like a baby sloth, and I’ll drop it.”
“Wing-woman duties, activated.” I did my bestI Dream of Jeannieimpression, crossing my arms and nodding once, which earned a laugh from both of them. Desperate to get the attention off the kiss that melted my brain out of my ears, I redirected to Elora. Two could play at that game.Or, was it three?I had no ammo on Max, so it had to be El. “First duty as active wing-woman: what in the hell is going on between you and Broderick?” To my simultaneous horror and satisfaction, Elora looked floored as she glanced around, as though a patron might have materialized without announcing themselves. Max grinned devilishly, and I locked on him as she shook her head. “Ooooh, give me the scoop.”
“Oh man, this shit goes so far back.”
“Shut up, Max,” she hissed.
“No, no, keep talking,Max,” I encouraged, fighting a laugh.
“It’snothing,” Elora argued.
“Nothing that anyone with eyeballs can ignore,” Max said smugly, waggling his brows and making me cackle as I wiped down the counter, keeping my hands busy. He shoved his laptop away before steepling his fingers atop their table.
“Oh boy, here we go.” Elora buried her pretty face in her palms, shaking her head. How was it possible to feel self-satisfied and bad for her at the same time? But hey, if my drama was fair game, so was hers.
“Those two have driven me crazy since we were in junior freaking high. Dancing around, retreating, competing in everything, bickering abouteverything.”
“Oooh,” I said, setting down the towel, “do tell.”
“Keep talking and I tell hereverythingabout Luca Moretti,” Elora threatened, pointedly shutting her laptop and glowering at him across the table. My gaze flicked to Max, who was scowling back at her.
“You. Wouldn’t.”
“Find out,” she challenged.
“Seventh grade Halloween dance.”
I bounced over to Elora, hand freezing mid-towel-stroke and suddenly wishing I had a bag of popcorn instead. She quirked her head, smirking. This had to be good.
“Ninth grade homecomingassembly.” I resisted the desire toooohat whatever she had threatened back, but I had to watch Max as he leaned in his chair, spreading an arm over the back as his smile broadened.
“Playing dirty,” he said, tone both scandalized and impressed. “Junior year prom.”
“Excuse me, should I be accepting applications for a new best friend?” Elora blinked at me and I retreated to lean against the back counter, pointing at my chest. “Noel seems like buckets of fun.”
“Then no speaking of he-who-shall-not-be-named.”
“Fine.”
“Fine,” Max agreed, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair. He scowled down at the buzzing vibration of his phone on the table, quick to snatch it up when ‘Jorogumo Defense’ popped up on his screen. Well, that was intriguing.
Elora smiled smugly, opening her laptop back up. I slowly continued wiping the counter down, both amused and interest utterly piqued.
