Chuckling, Jake grabbed utensils before sitting across from a drooling Marley.
“It’s still hot. Be careful.” He handed over the fork and knife, which were practically ripped out of his hands.
“Yeah, yeah.”
Marley brandished her fork like a weapon as she speared the giant meatball covered in steaming marinara sauce to her mouth and bit into it. Her eyes widened comically a split second before she plunked her fork, meatball with a giant chunk out of it, back into her bowl.
“Ow, it’s hot,” she said with a mouthful of steaming meatball, blowing air out of her mouth to cool it down.
Jake shrugged and pointed his beer at her triumphantly. “Told you.”
Marley rolled her eyes in response and fanned her mouth. Meanwhile, Jake took a large swig from his beer bottle and placed it gently on the table. He sliced into his meatball, watching as steam rose from the center. With his fork, he twirled some spaghetti around the tines before bringing it to his mouth.
“Mm-hmm, so good,” he said with a flourish.
“You’re a butthead.”
“You’re not allowed to call me that.” Jake pointed his fork at her.
“Why not?” Marley asked impishly.
“Because I said so.”
She rolled her eyes. “Really original.”
“Yeah, well, it’s true.”
Marley braved another bite and chewed happily on her prize. “So, why do you look like a drowned rat?”
“Excuse me?” Jake sputtered.
“Were you dancing in the rain or something?”
“Something like that.”
At Marley’s cocked eyebrow, Jake shoved a forkful of pasta in his mouth, buying himself some time before he answered her.
“I went to visit Thao,” he started, but then took a swig of his beer. Marley nodded as if she knew what his answer was going to be. “I ran into Gia.”
“What?” Marley shrieked. “But we haven’t even revealed the plan! What happened? Did you scare her off?”
“Chill, homie.” Jake raised his hand and motioned for her to stay calm. “I was cool as a cucumber.”
“Oh, God. Things are worse than I imagined. You’re doomed. This mission is doomed to fail before it even begins.” Marley plopped back into her chair, covering her face with an arm.
“Quit the dramatics, will ya?” Jake balled up his napkin and tossed it at Marley, who ducked out of the way.
“Well, tell me what happened!”
“Aren’t you too young to know about these types of things?”
“Age is just a number. Besides, I know more about what’s in than you do.”
“Fair.”
“Well?” She gestured for him to continue with an impatient hand.
Sighing, Jake finished the rest of his beer and sat back.
