Page 87 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

Rylee gapes at Kade, also with wide eyes. “I…don’t know.”

“You know you guys are being ridiculous, right? Choosing what to have for lunch has no bearing on romantic compatibility.”

Rylee raises her shoulders. “It might.”

“So it’s inconclusive,” Mia says. “We have no idea if Zoey and Kade’s stars are aligned.”

“I’m not listening to this,” I grumble as I stab my fork into my pasta.

My gaze lifts toward Kade. He’s stepped away from the counter and is now searching the cafeteria for a place to sit.

Before I know what’s happening, I blurt to my friends, “Is it okay if Kade sits here?”

Mia’s eyes shine. “You want him to sit here? Ooh.”

I roll my eyes at her. “We’re friends, remember? It sucks for him to sit all alone.”

“Of course he can sit with us,” Rylee says.

“It doesn’t mean anything, Mia,” I stress.

“Uh huh.”

“Kade!” I call, waving at him.

He pauses for a second and looks around probably searching for whoever called his name.

“Kade!” I call and wave again.

His eyes finally move to our table, and his face brightens when he sees me. With a smile, he makes his way over and stops before us. “Hi, Zoey, Rylee, and Mia.”

“Hi yourself,” Mia says. “Zoey was just telling us all about your wonderful day yester—ouch!” she cries when I ram my foot into hers. “Darn, your feet are made of titanium,” she mutters.

“Sorry,” I whisper. Then I grin at Kade. “Do you want to join us? There’s enough room at our table.”

He glances from me to my friends. “If it’s okay with everyone here.”

“Of course!” Mia gushes. “A really good friend of Zoey’s is a good friend of ours.” She squeezes her eyes shut and mutters, “Please don’t kick me again.”

“I’m this close to doing that,” I hiss at her.

“Don’t mind them,” Rylee says with a laugh. “Please join us. Zoey told us the two of you had lots of fun yesterday. We especially loved hearing how you lifted Zoey so she could reach an apple.”

“Do you want to meet my titanium foot?” I hiss at her.

“You can’t reach me from there.” She sticks out her tongue.

“Thanks,” Kade says before lowering himself next to me. “You guys always look like you’re having fun. And I was glad to help Zoey get that apple.”

My face and neck heat up. “Nature hasn’t been kind to me and blessed me with short legs.”

“You’re perfect just the way you are,” Kade says. “I wouldn’t change a thing about you.”

My breath catches in my throat. “Thanks.”

“Ooh, that was sweet,” Mia says.

“Sweet?” Kade shrugs as he takes a bite of his pasta. “I’m not sweet, but thanks.”

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