When we get downstairs for breakfast, many students are already gathered at the table and are munching on the gourmet food. As soon as Kylen, who sits at the back with his friends, notices me, he waves me over with a humongous smile.
“Aw, look how happy he is to see you,” Addie says. “That’s so cute.”
His friends have a certain look in their eyes as they glance between the two of us. Jasper even claps him on the back. Did he talk about me with his friends? I’ve always wondered if guys talk about the girls they like with their friends. I think it’s safe to say that he did.
“So what’s for breakfast today?” I ask as I settle down next to Kylen. Unlike at school, there isn’t a lot of room for buffet tables, so we’re given a digital menu. We have to give in our orders with our name and someone will come out and deliver them to us.
“Fancy, fancy,” Carly mutters as her eyes rake over the options. “And way too many things to choose from. Thanks for making my life even more difficult, Harrington Bay Academy.”
Kylen leans closer to me as he studies the menu. “Do you think this egg casserole dish looks good?” There are accompanying pictures to every dish, so we have an idea what we’re ordering.
He’s only a few inches from me and I can smell his delicious smell that is so unique to him. It makes me feel safe again, like being near him and inhaling his scent is like coming home.
“It does look good,” I admit. “I think I’ll order that, too.”
I also choose a whole bunch of other dishes I’ve never heard of before. As we wait for our food to arrive, Carly announces, “So what are the plans for today?”
Sophie and Damian want to hit the slopes again. Ryder adamantly refuses to try again because he’s not interested in another round of first aid. He and Carly are going to try snowtubing. That leaves Kylen, the guys, and me.
“What are you guys doing?” Kylen asks them. “Raven and I are spending the day together, so you guys are welcome to join us.”
Why do his words make me feel so giddy inside?Raven and I are spending the day together. Like he’s mine and I’m his.
Beck holds up his hands. “Nope. The guys and I have plans. Yep, we totally have plans. You and Raven should definitely go do your own thing.”
I try not to laugh. He’s not exactly being subtle here.
Leo’s eyes are so bright and full of light as he says, “You know I’m hanging out with Lilah.”
“I heard you guys got together!” I gush. “That’s awesome. I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks. I’m happy for me, too.”
“Just remember to be the perfect gentleman, man,” Beck reminds him. “Don’t mess this up.”
Leo sighs as his shoulders droop. “You’re putting so much pressure on me, bro.”
I reach over to rub his arm. “Don’t worry. Just be yourself and she’ll love you.”
“You sure about that?”
“Of course. You’re a good guy and I know you’ll treat Lilah right.”
He beams. “Thanks. You always know how to lift my spirits, Rave.”
I cross my eyes at him and stick out my tongue, which has all of us, including my friends and their guys, rolling.
Jasper frowns. “It’s not special if you guys keep using it.”
“Yeah, he’s right,” Kylen agrees. “It only suits Jas to call her Rave.”
“It suitsno one,” I stress.
“Tomato, tomahto,” Jasper says, then ducks when I throw a rolled-up napkin at him.
Our food finally arrives and we dig in. The egg casserole dish turns out to be so freakin’ delicious that Kylen orders another serving. I would, too, but there’s so much other food for me to finish. Everything is so darn good that I want to cry.
Eventually, students start clearing out of the room and heading off to their own activities. Carly and Ryder settle down near the fireplace with a one-thousand-piece puzzle of the Eiffel Tower. They’ll go snowtubing later.
