Londyn rolled her eyes. “Okay, girl.”
She walked away, leaving us alone.
“I’m so happy to see a familiar face. I don’t know why I let her talk me into coming here. I feel so out of place, Killian.”
“You’ll be fine, Layah. This is a chill spot. Not much happens. Outside of it getting a little loud during games, this is a relaxed crowd.” I reached out and covered her hand with mine. “Don’t worry. You’re safe with me.”
She offered me a slight smile and squeezed my hand. “I know.”
We shared a momentary gaze before Londyn sat back down at the table. She looked between the two of us as she placed a canned soda in front of Alayah.
“Am I interrupting something?” she asked, dropping her gaze to our hands.
Alayah quickly pulled her hand way. “No. I told you, Killian and I are just friends—newly reconnected friends at that.”
Londyn shrugged. “So there’s really never been anything there?”
“No.”
“Well…”
Alayah and I answered at the same time. Her head jerked in my direction.
“I…uh.I might have had a crush on you in high school.”
“I knew it,” Londyn exclaimed. “My radar is never wrong.”
“Wait,” Alayah said. “Are you serious?”
I nervously rubbed the back of my neck as I nodded. “Yeah.”
“You never said anything.”
“I didn’t think there was ever a right time to say anything. You always had a lot going on, Alayah. I cared too much about you to complicate things further. Besides, your…Kennedy would have never allowed it. It was a wonder she let me come over to study.”
She thought for a moment. “I guess you have a point.”
“I did almost ask you out once. Remember when you asked why I didn’t have a girlfriend? I told you I had my eye on someone, but I didn’t think she would feel the same.”
“I remember that.”
“I was talking about you.”
She thought for a moment. “You asked me if I would date you.”
“And you said maybe if I were into you, but I wasn’t and that we were just friends who studied together.”
Londyn cackled. “Sir. That was your in right there. You should have said something.”
I shook my head. “I know. I was scared, okay? I was your Average Joe, and honestly, I thought she was out of my league.”
“You two would make a beautiful couple,” Londyn professed.
“I’m just happy to have my friend back,” I said. “I want her to be happy. This is a new start for her. That’s what I want her to focus on.”
“Awww!He’s considerate!”
Alayah rolled her eyes. “Londyn, please don’t start.”
