I roll my eyes to the heavens. “Auden, meet my friend Robbie.”
“Bestfriend,” Robbie corrects under his breath.
“Auden Fine.” Auden’s smile widens, and he extends a hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Robbie gives him a long, assessing look while they shake. “So you’re Ames’s date.”
He sounds like he’s two seconds away from asking Auden what his intentions toward me are, which is so un-Rob-like that for a second, I’m completely at a loss for how to handle this.
Fortunately, I remember pretty fast.
I intentionally step back, directly onto his foot. “Robert, remember our previous conversation about backing the fuck off?” I murmur sweetly.
Robbie grips my Henley from behind but otherwise shows no reaction to having his toes mashed.
“Yep, I’m the lucky guy! We’re going for coffee,” Auden volunteers like he can’t sense the strange tension crackling in the air. “Ames said Ruby’s Diner has delicious muffins.”
Robbie’s jaw tightens, and so does his grip on my shirt. “Did he.”
I manfully resist the urge to squirm as I sense the weight of his judgment.
It’s not like Robbie owns my enjoyment of Ruby’s muffins, even if he’s bought them for me occasionally.
Okay, frequently.
Okay, several times a week for years.
It’s not like it matters that technically I hate coffeebecause everyone knows “going for coffee” is a thing that doesn’t have to involve coffee at all.Jeez.
“Then I thought we could walk over to the community center, if you’re up for it, Ames,” Auden goes on. “They’re running a series of scientific documentaries, and tonight’s isStarfall: Stories of the Celestial Drift.I thought you might like it, ’cause of your cool tattoo and all.”
Robbie huffs, his warm breath ghosting over my ear, and my cheeks get hot enough to roast the carrots for tonight’s soup.
Who cares if it sounds like Auden got up close and personal with that tattoo, when he only knows about it thanks to a fully clothed getting-to-know-you convo in a public place?
It shouldn’t matter. Itdoesn’tmatter.
Jesus, it’s not like I’d be doing anything wrong, even if we’d fucked all night. And it’s not like Robbie’s actually jealous either. I don’t know what this weird mood of his is, but it’s notthat. I’m being weak again, damn it.
“Sounds amazing. We should get going.” I set a hand on Auden’s back and turn him toward the door, forgetting for a moment that Robbie’s big fingers are still twisted in my shirt. He yanks me back before I’ve taken a step.
“Don’t forget I have you on Find My Friends if you need a rescue,” he whispers low in my ear.
Goose bumps chase up my spine, and I blink at him, confused. “R-rescue from what?”
He shrugs and darts a quick but baleful look at Auden, who’s turned to see where I am. “I dunno. Boredom. Cold. Serial killer stalkers. Whatever.”
I turn my head to stare at him. Then I shift my coatunder my arm and take my phone from my pocket. “Lemme shut that off real quick.”
“What? No.” Robbie scowls. “Ames, we share our locations for safety.”
My eyes meet his. “Of the two of you, who’s behaving more like a serial killer stalker right now? You’re acting like I’m a virgin going on his very first date, and we both know that’s far from true.”
Robbie rarely argues, but it’s clear he wants to now. His jaw works, and his face is turbulent, like there are currents roiling below the surface. Monsters I can’t see.
“Yeah.” He backs off, lifting both hands in the air. “I’m being weird. Sorry. I’m gonna go apologize to those guys for overreacting.” He tilts his head toward Carlos and Erick, who are both watching avidly and pretending not to. “Nice to meet you, Auden,” he calls. “Have a good night.”
“We will.” Auden gives him a wink. It’s friendly, and maybe I’m reading into it, but it’s also giving a subtle shade offuck you for questioning me. Not gonna lie, it’s hot.
