His dark eyes sweep over me with zero interest before flicking past me to scan the street outside. Then he steps aside without a word and repositions himself in front of the door.
“June!” Stella’s soft hand wraps around mine and yanks me forward.
“Ow—hey! I have joints, Stells.”
Ignoring my plea, Stella pulls me in line and glances behind us, her gray eyes shooting daggers at the biker who’s now leaning against the wall by the entrance.
“Who isthat?” I whisper, leaning in.
Stella’s jaw tightens. “Bax. He’s an asshole.”
Brooklyn snorts from in front of us, her wild dark purple hair bouncing as she shakes her head. She’s in a tank top and cutoffs, her tattooed arms crossed over her chest. “Journey’s got that baby biker following her around.”
“He followed me to thebathroomat the boutique,” Stella hisses. “Thebathroom, June.”
I press my lips together to keep from laughing, because if I laugh right now, Stella will murder me and hide my body where no one will find it.
“Next!” the barista calls.
We step up to the counter and I rattle off my usual—iced vanilla latte with oat milk and fat-free whip. Stella gets her caramel macchiato. Brooklyn orders a plain black coffee, the psychopath.
Before anyone else can reach for their wallet, Brooklyn slaps her card down on the counter. “I got it.”
“B, you got it last time.”
“Shut up and let me buy my friends coffee.” She flashes a smile that doesn’t quite reach her jade-green eyes.
Stella and I exchange a glance, but we both know better than to argue with Brooklyn Jackson when she’s made up her mind.
“Thank you, B,” I say, squeezing her arm.
“Love you,” Stella adds.
We grab our drinks and make our way to the corner table.
Stella drops into her chair and blows on her macchiato. “Okay. What’s new with everybody? Distract me from my prison sentence.”
I perk up, wrapping both hands around my iced cup. “Okay, so you know how my content has been trending on Tokker?”
“Four weeks straight,” Stella says proudly.
“Well—” I hold up my hands for dramatic effect. “—if I can keep it going for twelve weeks total, I win the Beauty Trend Setter Award. It’s this plaque that Tokker gives out, and it comes with a five-thousand-dollar cash prize.”
“Oh my God!” Brooklyn’s eyes light up. “That’s awesome.”
“That’samazing.” Stella reaches across the table and grabs my hand. “You’re going to win. I already know it.”
The warmth that floods my chest is almost embarrassing. “I’m trying, you guys. I really am.”
“What about you, B?” I take a sip of my latte and turn to Brooklyn. “What’s new in Brookie World?”
She shrugs one tattooed shoulder. “Nothing. I’m boring.”
Stella and I snort. “No, you’re not,” we say at the same time, then look at each other and laugh.
Brooklyn rolls her eyes but smiles. A real one this time.
I soften my voice. “How’s your daddy doing?”
