Page 87 of Robbin’ the Rich

"No," Sonia said.

"Not even a little," Zella added.

To his credit, he looked completely unbothered. "If it helps, Klingons do have very strong communal traditions."

"It does not help," I informed him.

Across the table, Zella was grinning so hard I worried she might hurt herself.

Most people tried to be cool when they met new people, and it would appear Micah wasn’t most people. He was just himself. There wasn't a single ounce of pretense in him.

"So," Belle said, leaning forward with all the subtlety of a charging rhinoceros. "Tell us about yourself."

I groaned.

Micah looked amused. "What would you like to know?"

"Intentions."

"Belle!" I snapped.

"What?" she asked innocently. "I'm protective."

"You're nosy."

"Like that’s anything new."

Micah laughed before looking at Belle.

"My intentions are to spend as much time with Robin as she'll let me."

The booth went quiet. My heart immediately attempted to escape through her throat. Micah looked completely sincere.

Belle's expression softened, clearly satisfied by his answer "I like him." Belle pointed at Micah.

"I was under the impression you already liked me."

"I did, but now I approve."

“Can someone please remind me why I’m friends with you guys?” I groaned.

The table dissolved into laughter, but Micah just squeezed my knee under the table.

By the time the waitress returned with refills, Ariel was asking about his tattoos, Mel was questioning him about teaching middle schoolers and Zella had somehow convinced him to explain the science behind black holes using saltshakers and ketchup bottles.

I mostly listened.

He wasn't performing for them. He was simply being Micah. He talked animatedly with his hands and pushing his glasses up his nose every few minutes while getting distracted by science tangents. Then he’d laugh along with the girls when they teased him.

And one by one, they all fell for him.

But by the time the check arrived, Belle was asking if he'd help her understand the telescope Raphael has in his study, Ariel wanted recommendations for science podcasts, and Mel had declared him an honorary Reaper pending further review.

"Pending?" Micah asked.

Mel nodded. "We have standards."

The smile was permanently plastered to my face like dumb ass, only it didn’t feel dumb. It felt nice. Who was I becoming?