Page 70 of Butterfly Effect

“What?”

“He’s so sweet, Gabe.” Girl is practically swooning.

“Sure.”

“I mean it,” she repeats. “Everything’s vegetarian.”

“Okay?” I shrug.

“Becauseyou’revegetarian.” Hearts form in her eyes.

What has gotten into my friend? Oh, yeah. Landon Radek. He’s brainwashed her with his cinnamon roll ways.

“Mmhmm.” My head turns back to the enigma clutching my leg like a lifeline. “Everything’s vegetarian?” I murmur towards his ear. He nods. “Why?”

“‘Cause you’re vegetarian.”

“I didn’t tell you that.”

His grin goes lopsided, and his eyes wrinkle in the corners. “I’m not as stupid as I look. We’ve eaten together half a dozen times. You don’t think I noticed?”

Heart in throat, meet stomach.

Deva re Deva, you were supposed to get rid of the obstacles, not create new ones.

“You okay, Gabe?” Indi asks. “I know it’s a lot, but?—”

“I’m good,” I lie.

She knows birthdays are tough, but she doesn’t need to know how tough this one is. How frayed my restraint is. And how Wade has scattered my emotions around this penthouse.

I join Mel and Jordan’s conversation about the upcoming season’s schedule, but I can’t get out of my head. And I’m wholly terrified that I’ll spontaneously combust if he doesn’t stop touching me.

Someone mentions dessert, and Indi gasps and squeals, clutching the crook of my arm as the cake is brought out. “It’s lemon raspberry.”

Engaged in a sort of auto-pilot mode, I allow myself to be whisked behind the beautiful display. Coated in a simple white buttercream, it’s topped with lemon curls and fresh raspberries. Judging from its height, it’s probably three layers.

“Where’s Gabe’s cake? I could eat this on my own.”

My fake boyfriend jabs Olsen in the chest.

“Cut it out,” Jaeger scolds.

Lucky Skylar. She got the most mature one.

“Yeah, cut it out,” Donovan parrots. He and Olsen slap each other around.

Our whispers hide under everyone else’s comments.

Wade pumps my side in his grip. “You don’t have to pretend not to like it. I know you do.”

“How did you know it was my favorite? I only made the cupcakes two days ago.”

A server lights a lone sparkler in the middle.

“Are we gonna sing Happy Birthday?” Landon asks. “We have to, right?”

“Your friends are blabbermouths.” His lips trace the shell of my ear. “Especially Dimples over there.”

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