Avery: I would come say hi, but the way you’re looking at me, I’m pretty sure my lipstick would be smeared.
Grinning so hard I feel like my face is going to break, I nod as I text her back.
Me: You are positively correct. You look super hot.
Avery: …
Me: You beat me.
Avery: Ha. I was studying and caught the first act.
Me: Judging the competition?
Avery: Of course.
Me: That’s my girl.
Avery: Your girl?
Me: What? The memo went out. Did you not get it?
Avery: Um, no, and we might need to discuss that since I don’t date.
Me: You didn’t date, then you met me. Big difference.
Avery: Wow, I’m not sure if I should be impressed by your giant ego or disgusted.
Me: Just admit it, you love it.
Avery: No comment.
“Gag,” Markus says from behind me, and I look back at him, grinning.
“Shut it,” I demand before meeting Chase’s gaze. “I’m gonna go get my seat. Thanks, though.”
He smirks. “Of course, enjoy. And please remember this is family establishment.” He gives me a knowing look and I laugh.
“Yeah, sure, with you as the manager? I’m sure you’ve defiled this whole place.”
He shrugs. “I haven’t made it to the couch, though,” he says with a wink and I shake my head.
Chase and I had some fun when we were younger. I think my mom used to call us lady-killers, and she was dead-on. But right now, there is only one lady I want to have a chance at.
Taking my spot in the front, I lean on the table, checking out the scene before pulling out my phone.
“Why are you getting a job? I thought your dad just gave you all that money,” Markus says as he sits next to me.
“He did,” I say simply as I text Jude and Jayden in a group message. “But I want to get Jude and Jayden off my back.”
“Oh, true. You gonna be able to handle it?”
“Yeah. I’ll figure it out.”
“Cool,” he says as I look around. More people have shown up, and the place is pretty packed. That excites me. I want this to go well for Avery; I want her to succeed. Leaning back in my chair, my phones dings with a text message.
Me: I got a job.
Jude: Good.