Page 4 of Only With You

I hesitate, but I am starving. “Japanese does sound good.”

“It does, doesn’t it?” A cheery smile grows on her face. “What would you like?”

After looking through the menu, I tell her what I want, but before she walks away, I stop her.

“I know you said not to, but thanks again for letting me move in. You guys didn’t have to take me in, but you did, so thank you.”

“We’re seriously happy to have you with us. I know some people love it and do live on their own, but I’d hate to live alone.” She pulls me in for a hug but then freezes. “Sorry, it’s a habit.”

I chuckle, wrapping my arms around her before she gets to. “It’s okay. I don’t mind hugs. I’m kind of a hugger myself.”

“Oh my gosh, we’re going to make the best of roommates.” She squeezes me a little tighter.

I beam, feeling ten times lighter than I have all week.

As I finally finish unpacking the last of my things in my room, Polly shouts from the living room, “Food’s here!”

Padding out of my room, I find the girls setting out the food on the dining table and the guys grabbing some stuff from the kitchen. We all wanted a little bit of everything, so they ordered a lot of different things.

Jagger holds a stack of napkins, chopsticks, and plastic forks, and Landon has the plates. He hands them out to everyone, but when he stands in front of me, he regards me with a blank expression and sidesteps me.

“My plate.”

“You know where they’re at,” he replies with his back to me and serves himself.

From the corner of my eye, I see Polly open her mouth, but I beat her to it. “It’s fine.”

It’s been a long and stressful week, and school starts tomorrow. I don’t have it in me to argue with him.

Quickly and quietly, I serve myself and go to the kitchen to grab a drink.

“Juls, are you not going to get any sushi?” Gabby glances at my plate as I step back into the living room.

“There’s more than enough. Grab as much as you want and hurry before Jag finishes it all.” Polly picks up a roll with her chopsticks and dips it in the mixture of soy sauce and wasabi.

Eyeing the raw and cooked sushi rolls on the platters, I grimace. “I don’t like fish. I genuinely don’t understand how you guys enjoy it or eat it raw.”

Polly stares, bemused. “You’re kidding, right?”

“No, and if I smell it any longer, I’m going to get nauseous.”

“Would you look at that? Something you and Lanny boy here have in common.” Jagger elbows Spawn’s side, but he doesn’t look one bit entertained.

I don’t reply to that and head to my room, but I stop when Gabby calls after me. “Where are you going? Come sit with us.”

If Landon weren’t here, I’d happily take a seat, but I know it won’t be long before we break into another argument. The last thing I want is to ruin Polly’s and Gabby’s night. If we argue, I’m sure they’d prefer if I was the one gone. After all, he’s their best friend. I’m just the girl they took in.

“My parents are going to call me soon.” I retreat to my room and shut the door behind me.

Setting my plate on my desk, I grab my phone from the nightstand where it’s charging, and my heart sinks to my stomach as I read the message on the screen.

Dad: I’m on call tonight. Can’t speak to you today. I expect nothing but the best. Do not disappoint me.

Dad: Again.

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LANDON

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