Page 100 of Anyone But Her

"It's an odd name," Alecia says in a defensive tone. "You have to admit it's not normal."

"A lot of names aren't what some would consider normal but that doesn't mean there's something wrong with them."

"Birdie, don't start," Cal says.

"Oh, so your date makes fun of me and I'm just supposed to stand here and say nothing?"

He sighs. "We're here to celebrate Luke's win so let's just try to have a good time, okay?"

Cal and Alecia go in the restaurant and the rest of us follow. Once we're seated at our table, Alecia slips her arm around Cal's and scoots her chair closer to his. "Do you know what you're getting?"

"Not yet." He looks at his menu.

"Cal." Alecia tilts her head up to him like she wants a kiss.

He takes his eyes from his menu and gives her a quick peck on the lips. "Have you decided what you want?"

"No." She pouts. "You pick. I don't feel like making decisions tonight."

Birdie says something under her breath while pretending to cough.

"You getting sick?" Cal asks her.

"Nope." She fakes a smile. "I'm fine."

"Did you work today?"

"Yeah, just got off. I ran home and changed quick before coming here."

At least they're being nice to each other. That's a relief.

"So you're a golfer?" Alecia asks Luke.

"Yeah. I won a tournament today."

"How much did you win?" she asks.

"Nothing. You can't accept money as an amateur. Only the pros can take prize money."

She huffs. "That sucks. Then why do you even do it?"

"Because I love it."

She picks up her phone and texts someone. "I don't get golf."

"Then maybe you shouldn't date a golfer," Birdie mutters.

"You're dating a golfer," Cal points out, "and you don't like golf."

"I like golf," she says. "I'm just not good at it. But at least I understand the game."

Alecia looks up from her phone. "You're dating a golfer? Is it one of Cal's friends?"

"Yeah, it's Luke," Cal says. "Didn't I tell you that?"

"No, I thought she was here because of your sister." Alecia sets her phone down and points to Birdie. "So you're dating him?" She points to Luke.

"I think Cal already made that pretty clear," Birdie says, getting annoyed.

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