The kiss is more than just a peck, and my toes curl as he kisses me quite deeply before stepping back.He adjusts his cap, his biceps looking way too damn fine as he does, and peers out beyond the table, like the others aren’t gawking at us with wide eyes and open mouths.My eyes shift towards a table near us as Leasa stands beside it, eyes widened in shock.My chest tightens as we awkwardly meet gazes and I quickly glance away, back to my friends.
Anya is frozen mid-sip, iced coffee hovering in front of her mouth like she’s forgotten how to drink.Cami’s eyebrows are halfway to her hairline and her phone’s tilted down in her lap – a rare occurrence.
‘Want anything for lunch?’Zayden casually asks me, looking unfazed as ever.
‘I just ordered,’ I manage to get out.
‘Sweet,’ he replies, before heading off towards one of the food carts located to the side.
Slowly, I face the girls in front of me, then lift my gaze to the boys, who look just as shocked.
‘Did I – didwe– just see what I think we saw?’Anya’s voice is high as she blinks at me, still holding her iced coffee midway between her and the table.‘Did that just happen?’
‘I mean … unless they happen to kiss as a way of saying hello,’ Cami snickers, glancing at Anya.
I feel heat flood my face, like my cheeks have decided to spontaneously combust.
‘Since when is this happening?’Cami asks at the same time that Anya starts talking.
‘Did I skip a chapter?’Anya asks in confusion, glancing around her like she can’t quite believe what she’s just witnessed.
I reach for my coffee and take a sip, even though it’s still too hot.I just need to do something with my hands; they’re all still staring.
‘Ohhh,’ Mason says after a moment, clicking and pointing at me.‘Youarethe girl who he’s been all distracted with.Makes sense now.’
Anya shoots him a sharp look.‘Excuse me?You knew about this and didn’t tell me?’
‘Not exactly,’ he explains quickly.‘I just knew he was obsessing over someone.’
My name is called and I practically leap to my feet and hurry to the cart to grab my salad roll.Zayden lifts his chin in greeting.
‘Hey there,’ he says, looking far too pleased with himself at the chaos he just caused.‘Too much?’
‘No, no, it was fine.Just took me – and everyone else – by surprise.’
‘That’s why it was so fun.’
I smile, unable to hold it in.I loved every second of that.It felt like I was reading a scene out of a romance novel, except that it was happening tome.‘True.It was fun.’
‘Can’t wait to do it again,’ he winks, and my blush deepens, crawling down my neck.
I return to the table, Zayden joining me, and he sits down beside me.
‘So how long has this been going on?’Cami asks again, clearly not satisfied with my lack of answers.
Zayden looks calm.Way calmer than me.He neatly unwraps his own sandwich and shrugs.
‘It’s new,’ he supplies.
‘Obviously,’ Cami retorts.
‘Didn’t realise we needed to give you a play by play on our lives,’ he quips, giving back the same tone she gave him.
‘I think we’re just a little surprised,’ Anya explains cautiously, still looking puzzled.Both girls are very confused.I’ve never mentioned anything about liking Zayden so they likely feel blindsided by it.
‘It happened quickly?’I say, but it comes out more like a question.
‘Well, this has been a lot of fun.’Christian smirks in amusement.‘I’m going to find Travis.’
