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“Yeah, we come all the time and sit in the big booth in the corner,” Riley said.
Wouldn’t Blaire have seen them before? Lukas didn’t remember her working when they came to the diner in the past except that one day, which he found strange, since Professor Velastra told him Blaire worked as much as she could to save money to leave the Valley.
Charlotte said, “They’re usually here on the later shifts when you’re not working, oddly enough.”
“Yeah… I’ve seen Blackthorn students before during the day, but unless Ricky needed me for a double, I always made sure to be home not long after school.” Blaire glanced at Riley.
“Well, isn’t that interesting?” Kai leered at Lukas. “So many opportunities to meet, and it never worked out until the right moment.”
Lukas rolled his eyes as Charlotte looked at Kai, her brows drawing together, clearly not understanding. Thankfully, she didn’t question him as she led the group to their table.
The cook gave Blaire the stink eye from behind the counter before disappearing into the back. Apparently, her boss wasn’t happy about her leaving.
Mera and Kai slid into the booth on the right side, far enough to where Aiden could sit on the outside, while Riley climbed into the left side, moving to sit next to Mera in the middle. Blaire scooted in next to Riley, and Lukas sat on the outside across from Aiden. Charlotte took their drink order and went back to the counter.
“Hey, have we ever met her before?” Aiden asked as he glanced toward the counter with a serious expression.
Mera glanced Charlotte’s way and shook her head. “She’s served us before, but we’ve never met formally, no.”
Aiden’s brows knitted together as if in deep contemplation.
“What’s wrong?” Blaire asked.
Aiden returned his attention to the table and smiled at Blaire. “Nothing. She just seems familiar. I probably just remember her from another time we’ve been here.”
Lukas cleared his throat, and Aiden glanced at his irritated expression, his smile fading. Before anything could be said, Charlotte returned, setting the tray on the table, and passed out everyone’s drinks.
She smiled. “So, Blaire, tell me what it’s like.”
Blaire blinked at her. “What what’s like?”
Charlotte passed a strawberry milkshake to Riley. “You know, the academy. Don’t hold out on me. Is it as amazing as it looks?”
“It’s…” Blaire glanced around at everyone at the table. “It’s beautiful there. They have a lot of sweet-smelling trees and flower beds. A hedge maze. It’s a peaceful-looking environment, but it’s like most universities with dorms.”
“Do you have a roommate in your dorm, or is it private?” Charlotte asked, passing Aiden a Cherry Coke.
Riley choked on her milkshake.
Blaire blushed, glancing at Lukas briefly before clearing her throat. “I do…”
Lukas could tell she had trouble addressing it, but he didn’t understand why. There wasn’t anything wrong with them sharing a room. Before Blaire could say more, the owner called from across the diner, ordering Charlotte back to work.
Charlotte rolled her eyes. “So, what would you guys like to eat?” She held up her notepad and pen to show Ricky she was doing her job as she muttered, “Hard ass.”
Aiden chuckled and Kai grinned as everyone gave her their food orders, and then she disappeared back into the kitchen.
“She seems nice,” Riley said as she devoured her milkshake.
Blaire sighed. “I’m really sorry. I didn’t know what I was allowed to say or not say.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Lukas sipped his water. “It’s fine if she knows it’s coed dorms.”
Riley shrugged. “Yeah, it’s not a big deal. There are coed dorms in plenty of human universities. …I think?”
“No… it’s definitely weird.” Blaire chuckled.
“How so?” Kai asked.
