Page 86 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

“That was so sweet of him,” Mia adds. “Kade is such a nice guy. I can’t believe you used to think he was a jerk, Zoey.”

“Yeah…” I play around with my pasta. “I thought he was the biggest jerk in the world. I totally misunderstood him. I feel really rotten about it.”

“At least you’re chummy now,” Mia says.

“Chummy? I mean, we’re friends.”

“Just friends?” Mia asks.

“Yes, Mia. Just friends.”

“Bummer.”

“You know I don’t want romance.”

“But you got a taste of it, didn’t you?” Rylee says. “You’ve never been this close to a guy before. Doesn’t it feel good? Fun and amazing and—”

“Obsessive,” I mutter.

“Huh?” Rylee asks.

“Nothing. Kade and I…we’re nothing. Just two people who happen to live under the same roof who happen to now be friends. That’s all.”

Mia is about to say something, but I catch Kade walk into the cafeteria. My eyes remain transfixed on him as he grabs a tray and waits in line.

“He seems to be in a better mood,” Rylee observes.

“I was just about to say that,” Mia says. “Kade seems to be in a much better mood. Is that because of you, Zoey?”

“What, am I a magician?”

“Yep.”

I shake my head. “I think he’s happy living with Aunt Ally and Uncle Zack. They’ve been great to him. I think he’s finally realizing that there are kind people in the world and that he can have a good life, too.”

“Nah, I think it’s because of you,” Mia says.

I give her a look. “Mia…”

She raises her chin defiantly.

I shake my head again and turn to Kade. He’s reached the front of the line and seems to be in deep contemplation about which pasta dish to choose.

“If he picks penne alla vodka, then he and Zoey’s stars are aligned,” Rylee says.

“You know you picked penne alla vodka, too,” I point out.

She waves at me to keep quiet.

All three of us watch as he continues staring at the dishes like this is the biggest conundrum he’s ever encountered. It’s so cute how hard he’s concentrating on this minute task…

“He’s reaching for the penne!” Mia gushes as Kade’s hand moves toward the dish. But then he slides it to the baked ziti and places it on his tray. “Rats.”

Now I raise my chin to them. “See? Just friends. Not that I believe in any of this anyway.”

But Kade doesn’t leave the counter. He says a few words to the lunch lady, who nods with a large smile and graciously places a plate of penne alla vodka right next to his baked ziti.

Mia’s eyes bug out. “What does this mean, Rylee?”

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