Alex groans dramatically. “Don’t even get me started on Alfie and his car. I already tried to have that conversation, and it didnotgo well.”
Freddie grins. “What do you mean?”
“He gave me a 45-minute lecture on synthetic fuel research and the future of hydrogen engines,” Alex mutters. “And then he had the audacity to ask if I wanted a ride to CC’s after.”
“Did you take it?”
“Well,yes. It was cold!” she admits.
Freddie laughs. “I love that guy. Andyou, Lexie.” He pulls her in, and she giggles into his chest. I shake my head as we step into CC’s, about to say something else—until I spot Delilah.
She’s already here, sitting alone at the farthest table in the back corner, curled around a coffee like it’s a shield. Hood up, earbuds in, gaze fixed on her laptop like she’s trying to block out the entire world.
She hasn’t seen me.
I glance at Freddie and Alex. They’re still caught up in whatever inside joke they’ve slipped into, brushing past the counter like they don’t even notice I’ve slowed down.
“I’ll catch you guys later,” I say, already peeling off toward the counter to quickly order.
“Yeah, see ya!” Alex calls, not really looking.
“Bye, man,” Freddie echoes, distracted.
Sure, Delilah Greer and I butted heads at Camp Pinehaven all summer, but that was different. There was a competition involved between us. We were on separate teams. And maybe I was a little smug about winning. And maybe she accused me of cheating. And maybe I did call her an uptight control freak who needed to lighten the hell up.
But this time we’re working together. The past is in the past and all that.
Grabbing my iced coffee, I head toward her, hands in my pockets, trying not to smirk.
Delilah’s scowl deepens as I settle into my chair. She looks so deeply unamused that Ialmostfeel bad.
Instead, I stir my iced coffee with my straw, letting the silence stretch out.
She glares harder.
I grin wider.
“Hawkins,” she finally says.
“Greer,” I lean back like I have all the time in the world. “Now,firstly, and I only ask for the health of the project, did you get your orgasm the other night? I prefer my project partners nice and relaxed.”
She exhales through her nose, like she’s trying to keep herself from strangling me.
“We need to set some ground rules.”
“Ground rules?” I raise a brow.
“Yes. Rules. You know, the things people follow so they don’t completely ruin each other’s lives?”
“Sounds fake.”
She pinches the bridge of her nose. “Jesus Christ, I hate you already.”
“Give it time,” I say cheerfully. “I grow on people.”
“Like mold.”
“Yes.”
