Page 16 of Sycamore Circle

“That’s what I was afraid of.” She frowned. “I really hate French.” She was glaring at the book like she found it personally offensive.

“How come you’re taking it then?”

“Because I have to take a language and I mistakenly thought that it would be a lot easier than Spanish or Latin. It isn’t.”

“Why did you think it would’ve been easier than the others?”

“Because I know some French dance terms.” She shook her head. “I should’ve known better.”

“I’d help you if I could.” Even though he knew he should leave, he couldn’t help but say something more. “If you were taking German, I might have been able to, but I don’t know any French.”

“You know German?”

He lifted a shoulder. “Well, Deutsch is pretty close to it.”

“I guess it is.” She leaned back against the red vinyl and gazed up at him. “How come you’re working here?”

“I need some money.”

“Finn?” Lane called out.

“Sorry, I’ve gotta go,” he told the girl. He hustled back over to Lane.

“Order’s up, kid.”

“Thanks.”

Lane lowered his voice. “Watch the flirting with the girls too. Mary’s not going to like that.”

He felt his neck heat up. “Okay.” He wasn’t flirting, but he guessed it had looked like it. Especially since he hadn’t been able to do much besides stare at that girl since they’d run into each other.

Carefully bringing the older couple their orders, he set the plates on the table in front of them.

“We’d like more water.”

“Sure. I’ll be right back.”

As soon as he reached for the pitcher, Mary shook her head. “I’ll take care of them. You go tell Chloe that it’s almost four.”

“Who?”

“Chloe. Hurry, now. Otherwise she’s going to be late,” Aunt Mary said before heading over to the couple with a plastic pitcher of water.

Feeling kind of stupid, Finn walked over to the girl. “Are you Chloe?”

“Yep.”

He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “My aunt said to tell you that it’s almost four. I’m guessin’ that means something to you?”

Her eyes got big. “Oh no! Thanks.” She started stuffing everything in her backpack, pausing only long enough to pull a ten-dollar bill out of her wallet. “Here.”

“I’ll go get you some change.”

“Keep it.”

“It’s too much of a tip.”

“It’s fine. Seriously.”

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