Page 147 of Rule Breakers Fall Hardest

“What was that about?” Rosie asks, dipping a breadstick in marinara.

“Just texting Mascen.”

“Ah.” She nods, taking a bite. After she chews and swallows, she says, “I guess he told you to get away from his girlfriend?”

“Yep. How’d you know?” I ask jokingly.

Her eyes dance as she wipes her mouth with a napkin. “It’s Mascen.”

Sammy lets out an excited scream just then, causing a few heads to turn our direction. Enthused by the interest, he does his new favorite thing and blows a raspberry.

This kid.

He’s already the biggest flirt. I’m going to have my hands full as he gets older.

“I’m really worried about Bertie,” Rosie says, bringing my attention back to her.

Resting my elbows on the table, I lean forward, frowning. They haven’t really been hanging out lately, but I figured it was because they’re both so busy. Graduation is fast approaching, and just about every free minute of Rosie’s life has been consumed by Sammy and me.

“Do you think she’s upset about something?”

I’m not quite sure what kind of wisdom I could impose on this situation, but I’ll try my best if that’s what she wants.

She shakes her head, tearing a chunk of breadstick off. “No, I don’t think it’s that. But she’s avoiding me. I’m worried about her.”

I reach out and cup my hand over one of hers. “I’m sure everything is fine.”

She hums in response, but she doesn’t look convinced.

“She could be stressed about finals and all that has to be done before graduation.”

“Maybe, but I feel like it’s something more. I’m going to have ambush her.”

“Ambush her?” I repeat with a laugh.

“Yeah, show up at the dorm with snacks and movies so she’s forced to let me in. Her favorite wine too.”

“Do you think she’ll go for it?”

Rosie waves a dismissive hand. “If she really doesn’t want to see me, then she’s going to have to give me a plausible excuse.”

I just shrug, because frankly, I’m at a loss. I don’t know Bertie well enough to understand her motivation for avoiding Rosie. The whole thing does feel a bit weird, but I’m not about to delve into Rosie’s business with her friend.

When our food comes out, my stomach rumbles with approval.

“Let me know if you guys need anything else.”

“We’re good for now,” I tell Rory.

Rosie points her fork at her carbonara. “I’m convinced pasta could save the world if it wanted to.”

I suppress an amused smile. “You think so, huh?”

She twirls her noodles around the fork and holds it up in front of her. “I know so.” Sammy darts a hand out and snags a noodle from her plate. “See? He agrees.”

I extract the noodle from his closed fist. “Mhm, I’m sure that’s exactly what he was doing. It has nothing to do with him being a baby and grabbing anything he can get his hands on.”

Rosie juts her bottom lip out in a pout. “Don’t mock me.”

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