I smack Ro’s chest with the back of my hand to let him know we’re moving. Together we walk towards Claire and her friend who are next in line.
“Hi,” I say, mimicking her greeting at Monroe’s.
She gives a knowing smile, and I blush. I fucking blush. Making Claire happy has quickly become my new favorite thing, and she makes it so easy to do.
Her friend clears her throat dramatically. Ronan attempts to hide his amusement and Claire fakes a scoff.
“Guys, this is Chloe. Chloe, this is Jay.”
“Hi again,” I say, and I can now see that her shirt says,I Can't Evenacross the front.
Claire gestures to Ro, “And this is…”
“Ronan.” He sticks his hand out directly to Chloe. Smooth Ro. Claire tries to hide her smile. Chloe does not.
After dropping hands, she cries, “Wait! I recognize you! From Enzo’s!”
Ronan nods his head looking at me like he’s impressed. “He owns the place,” I say, hyping my boy up.
“What? Stop it. I LOVE your balls.” Ronan all but drops to the floor.
“Oh myGod! Your meatballs! She means she loves your meatball subs!” Claire smacks Chloe’s arm.
“Hmm,isthat what I mean?” Chloe says with a flirty smile. She’s kidding, but I think Ronan just fell in love.
“I hate to interrupt whatever is happening here, but I think you guys are up.” I cut in, pointing to the lady behind the counter of Auntie Anne’s who looks like she very much hates her job.
Claire steps up and orders two cinnamon sugar pretzels and then turns back to us. “Do you guys want anything?”
“Nah, I’m good. I’ve never even had one of these things before,” I say, looking at Ro who shrugs his shoulders and shakes his head in agreement.
Claire and Chloe’s faces mirror each other, both mouths dropped open. “Make it four,” Claire says immediately.
“Seriously guys,” Chloe speaks up. “You haven’t lived until you’ve tasted this sugary slice of heaven.”
Both girls reach for their wallets, but I hand Ms. Sunshine my card instead.
Chloe makes a dramatic gasp. “Wow. And they say chivalry is dead.” She takes the oily bag of pretzels and walks to the closest bench.
“Thanks for the food, Mr. Gentleman…again,” Claire says as she follows behind Ronan. “Do you know this owner too?”
“Who? Ms. Anne? Oh sure, we go way back,” I joke.
She scrunches her face and squeezes my arm, and I’m reminded all over again of the effect her touch has on me. Even now, this casual contact lights a fire deep inside.
We get to the bench and the girls sit with us standing in front of them. Chloe distributes the pretzels, and Ronan and I take our first bites. Man, they weren’t kidding. These things are delicious — deep fried dough, brushed with melted butter, and drenched in cinnamon sugar? I mean, I guess I should have seen that coming, but we look at each other like we never would have guessed. Claire sure knows her sweets.
After a few moments of gluttonous silence, Chloe asks Ronan how he makes his meatballs. They start talking about the “secret ingredient,” which isn’t so secret (ricotta cheese), when I tune them out and turn to Claire.
“Any chance you’re also here buying an outfit for Friday?” I hold up the bag in my hand internally cursing myself for bringing it up.
She mimics the gesture and my inner voice quiets. “Guilty.”
We both roll our eyes, but inside I’m glad to know that she also felt the pressure to impress. My gladness though, doesn't feel like relief. It hits me out of nowhere that this isn’t supposed to be happening. I’m not supposed to be happy I ran into her. Hell, I’m not supposed to be happy at all. I shouldn’t be looking forward to hanging out tomorrow, and I’m damn sure not supposed to be falling for her like I am. I get lost inside my head thinking of all of the reasons I should cancel our plans, and end this before we’re both in too deep, when I see her face light up. It drops again almost immediately after I don’t mirror her excitement.
“Wait, what?” I regain my focus and try to catch up on what I missed.
“Oh, uh, no.” She brushes her hair behind her ear. “I just said it should be a good time.”
