But somethingdidhappen, and a frozen Odette and Noah tell me they saw it too.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
I clear my throat and mutter out a quick “I’ll be back” before hightailing it to the kitchen.
I don’t exhale until I’m out of sight.
What the fuck was that, Ezra? You almost gave everything away! What were you thinking?
I wasn’t, and that’s the problem. It was pure instinct to kiss her in that moment. At least for me it was. Not for Summer, though. She knew we couldn’t.
Maybe she’s not as wrapped up in this as I am.
An ache forms, and this time it’s not in my hip. It’s in my chest. I rub at it, trying to scrub it away as I push all thoughts of Summer and how natural it feels to want to kiss her out of my head.
We’re not here for that tonight. We’re here for the new menu. I can sort the rest out later or bury it deep inside where I never have to think about it again.
Yeah, that part sounds good.
I grab the last tray and take it out to the taproom.
Odette, Noah, and Summer are all laughing.
“What’s so funny?” I ask as I set the food down.
“Izzy. She just sent a picture of her seatmate sleeping on her. Look.”
Odette shoves her phone in my face, and the photo is just as she described.
“She’s on her way back, then?”
“Yep.” Odette wiggles in her chair, clearly excited about reuniting with her best friend. “She’s flying into New York, spending a day doing touristy stuff, then we’ll pick herandher boy toy up from the airport on Thursday.”
“Boy toy? She’s bringing someone back?”
“Yes, because she loves me and wants to have a date for the wedding.” Odette gives me a pointed look.
“I have a date.”
Odette’s mouth drops open, and even Noah is looking at me in disbelief.
“What?” I shrug. “I’m capable of getting a date, you know.”
“Who? Who is it?”
“Me,” Summer says.
“Yes!” Odette cheers. “It’s about time!”
I want to ask her what she means by that, but I’m too distracted by Noah. His eyes are trained on me, and he’s giving me a look that reminds me a lot of the one Summer’s father gave me at the iceplex.
Knowing.
I look away.
“Chill out. We’re just friends, and Ezra’s doing me a favor so I don’t show up alone, and he’s got to do all those best-man duties anyway,” Summer says as she grabs the stack of small plates she got out earlier and starts to line them up.
“Um, he’s doingyoua favor? Pfft. Please.” Odette laughs. “You’re hot. The favor is all yours.”
