“Yet you used to turn ten shades of red when someone you crushed on walked in the room,” Goldie says.
Erin reaches across the table for Ava’s hand. “Not anymore.” She grins. “And Percy was just the unknown. They didn’t count.”
“Oh,Ican still make you blush,” Ava says, laughing.
As if to prove her point, Erin’s cheeks flush, and we all lose it, including Erin, as she holds her hands to her cheeks.
Once the laughter’s died down, Ava smiles at me. “You don’t have to do any of this if you’re not feeling it. But it’s kind of nice not being alone in it, right?”
I smile around the table. “Yeah. It is.”
Erin hands me the napkin like it’s a legally binding document. “You don’t get to spiral solo. That’s not how we roll around here.”
I look down at OPERATION LOLA and nod.
“Okay,” I say quietly.
Erin grins. “Good. First move…we burn that shirt.”
“I love this shirt.” I glance down lovingly at the deer walking through a stream. I’m not sure how long I’ve had this shirt, but probably longer than Erin would appreciate.
“We love people, not things,” Erin says.
“Yeah, tell that to your black combat boots.” I lift my eyebrows, daring her to argue.
She looks stricken. “Low blow.” She sighs. “Okay, you can keep the shirt.”
“You’re so easy.” I grin.
“That one’s softening me,” Erin says, winking at Ava.
Now Ava flushes, and we all laugh.
“Thanks, guys. You’ve made a crazy day easier,” I tell them.
The sting is still here, but I’ll get through it.
I have no idea if there’s a chance in hell I’ll even talk to Lola again while she’s here, but if I do, now I’ll feel a little more prepared.
I really hope we talk. I’d like some answers.
CHAPTER FIVE
IN BETWEEN
LOLA
The neon loon sign buzzes faintly above the door, gold light spilling out onto the sidewalk. It smells like fried food and beer even out here, but there’s something about it that’s cozy, like my favorite mom-and-pop places in New York.
I slow down.
“Wow, this place is a dive. Should we skip it and go to Elm & Echo now?” he asks.
“I thought we were going there later tonight. This looks fun. Let’s try it.”
He opens the door and gestures for me to go in first. “M’lady.”
I step inside. Someone cheers from the bar—it’s pretty busy for an early dinner.
