Page 102 of Anyone But Her

"Work was slow so they let me out early."

"Where do you work?" Birdie asks.

"At at restaurant in Scottsdale. I wait tables."

"Noah, this is Taylor," Cal says.

I hold out my hand. "Hi."

We do a quick hand shake and he sits down next to me.

"I've watched some videos of you playing," Noah says. "You're really good."

"Thanks." I feel everyone staring at us. It's really uncomfortable. "I should introduce you to everyone. This is Luke." I point to him beside me. "And next to him is Birdie. We've been friends forever. And you already know Alecia."

"I don't think so," he says to her. "Have we met before?"

"We met at a party," she says. "It was months ago."

He nods. "Now I remember. It was Chad's party. You and Cal had just started dating."

"And then we broke up. But now we're back together. Cal missed me." She kisses his cheek. "He couldn't stay away."

I'm pretty sure I heard a gagging sound from Birdie. I glance at her and she gives me an innocent smile.

Noah turns toward me but talks to Luke. "I saw the recap of the tournament today. Congratulations."

"Thanks."

"You should go pro."

"I'm thinking about it." He glances at me and I have to bite my tongue so I don't say anything.

"Hey, Noah," Alecia says. "If you saw those two in the mall," she points to Birdie and Luke, "would you think they're a couple?"

He looks at them, then back at her. "Um, I don't know. Probably not. Why do you ask?"

"Because they're dating. I think it's weird. They totally don't go together."

"Would you give it rest?" Cal says to her, getting angry. "It doesn't matter if you think they go together or not. They're dating so just drop it."

She sits back in her chair with a pout on her face. I'm surprised Cal stood up to her like that. Normally, he'd just try to talk about something else.

We order our food, then Noah asks me questions about the golf team I'm on at college. He seems like an okay guy but I have no interest in him. Even if I were single I wouldn't be interested in him. He's not my type and I'm bored with our conversation.

While he's talking I hear Luke saying something to Birdie. Then I feel his leg rub against mine. I'm suddenly no longer bored, my body and mind coming alive by the feel of Luke touching me. He shouldn't be doing this, which makes it even more of a turn-on. I want to be with him so bad. Even if we could just kiss, I'd take it.

Our meals arrive and Noah devours his like he hasn't even in weeks. He's literally shoveling food in his mouth, which is a little disgusting, especially when he tries to talk and eat.

Cal notices and says, "Slow down, man. The food's not going anywhere."

Noah sets his fork down and laughs. "It's a habit. I'm always in a hurry so I tend to eat fast."

"Why are you in a hurry?"

"I just always have a lot going on."

"Well, if you need to leave after this, it's fine."

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