Page 96 of Shy Girls Can't Fake Date

At that, Jamie is livid. “Kai is behind this?”

I shrug sheepishly. “That’s what Lewis said.”

“That rat!” she yelps. “How could he not give me a head’s up?”

“Maybe because you’d be mad?”

Jamie rolls her eyes. “Duh.”

“What’s with the raised voices?” Maddy asks, exiting the kitchen.

“Yvette Anderson is coming to the café today,” Jamie says.

Maddy gives a blank expression. “Am I supposed to know who that is?”

“One of the Miss Perfects.” Jamie huffs. “Tabitha’s friend.”

“Ex-friend,” I clarify.

“Whatever.” Jamie jams the milkshake jug into the machine. “Why do they need to have their reunion here?”

“Lay off the equipment,” Maddy scolds. “Stop being so rough.”

“You should’ve seen them yesterday,” Jamie complains. “They fought over the dumbest stuff.”

“I don’t know how the boys think some pancakes will mend their relationship,” I say in agreement.

Jamie moves to the back office and grabs her phone. “I’m texting Kai to call it off.”

Yes!

“Jamie, put the phone down,” Maddy says in a tired tone.

“I’m doing us all a favor,” Jamie protests.

“Let your friends bring their girlfriends,” Maddy replies.

Jamie drops the phone into the pocket of her apron and raises her palms. “It’s sent.”

I can’t help grinning. I try to minimize it when I catch Maddy looking my way.

During the first hour of service, I’m shaky. Every time the door opens, and the chime rings, a bolt of anxiety ricochets throughout my body. But once the booths fill in the proceeding hour, my nervousness fizzles out.

Maybe Jamie’s text worked? I look across the café floor to get a read on her. She’s busy taking an order, fidgeting the way she does when she gets tongue-tied. Probably not the best time to ask her about the text to Kai when her jitters have taken over.

When the kitchen bell dings, I make my way to the food pass, choosing to take this as a win. My morning hasn’t been ruined by Yvette. As I carry the plates to their destined table, the front door chimes. I place the plates down in front of the couple and grit my teeth as I peer over my shoulder. My back arches with curiosity as Parker and Tyler stroll in with their skateboards.

I leave the table to meet them in the aisle.

“Morning girlfriend,” Parker says with a cheesy grin.

He leans in to peck my cheek and I use all my might not to recoil. “Hi.”

“Ty and I met up after he finished training this morning,” Parker says. “We thought we’d stop by and say hi.”

I motion at the bustling tables. “None of your friends are here.”

Parker nudges Tyler. “Wasn’t your dad just talking to Kai’s dad? Did he say anything about where Kai was?”

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