Kai shifts just enough to become a wall between us. Not dramatic. Just effective.
Coleson’s brows lift, amused. “Relax, man. I’ve got a girl.”
Kai’s voice stays level. “Doesn’t matter.”
I roll my eyes, because if I don’t, my skin will crawl right off my body.
Coleson catches it and grins like we’re co-conspirators. “She’s got your attitude.”
Kai mutters, “Unfortunately.”
“Rude,” I mutter.
Coleson laughs and disappears toward the patio, already absorbed into the noise.
Weston appears at my side like a golden retriever who learned how to speak.
“So,” he says brightly, “rate this event on a scale of one to ‘I’m going to crawl into the freezer.’”
I glance at him. “Do you always talk in scales?”
Weston nods seriously. “Only when I’m trying to be helpful.”
“And are you helpful?”
He grins. “Depends on what you need. Most often, ladies find meveryhelpful.”
Despite myself, my mouth twitches.
Weston leans closer. “We can judge everyone.”
“That feels mean.”
“We can judge lovingly,” he offers.
I hesitate.
“Fine,” I say. “Lovingly.”
Weston points toward the living room where someone is stacking Solo cups into a tower. “Cup tower guy? Delusional.”
“Ambitious,” I correct.
Weston points toward the patio. “Coleson Richards? Gives me the ick.”
I snort quietly. “Accurate.”
Weston’s eyes gleam. “Asher? Secretly a robot.”
Asher walks by at that exact moment and says, deadpan, “I heard that.”
Weston doesn’t miss a beat. “Beep boop.”
Asher’s mouth twitches, barely. “Behave.”
Weston salutes. “Never.”
A laugh slips out of me, startling me so much that I cough into my sleeve, like I can hide it.
