Page 24 of The Friend Zone

I nod, letting my eyes skim from her face down the length of her body for a few moments, just before the light turns green. “Burgers and fried pickles sounds perfect. I’ll need some directions though, because I’m?—”

“New in town?” the corner of her lips quirks up in the beginning of a smile.

She’s teasing me, but I prefer that to the dejected expression she wore a few minutes ago.

Bay gives me simple directions to the town historic peer. “Half of the shops and restaurants on the pier close after Labor Day and don’t reopen until Memorial Day and in some cases, the Fourth of July. But the pier stays open all year round and Joe’s is an institution in Star Cove even with the locals.” She explains.

“I’m surprised some shops close,” I say, following the lights of the pier as they appear in front of us. “Connecticut gets really cold in the winter, but California is a lot warmer. The temperature here isn’t too different than South Carolina andHemlock Beach, where I went to college for the first three years, stays open almost year round.”

She shrugs. “Star Cove is still a small town, even though it has seen some growth in recent years. Shell Cove, the next town over, is much bigger and almost nothing closes down in the winter, just like you mentioned.”

The parking lot right outside the pier isn’t very crowded, especially considering it’s a Saturday night.

Maybe it’s because the locals know that things wind down after the summer is over, or because the student population is well aware that on nights when the Cove Knights play at home, all the places on campus have half-price food and drinks.

“Wait,” I say, as Bay pulls on the handle to open the passenger door. “Let me.”

I run around the car and offer her my hand to help her out of my SUV.

“Thanks,” she looks amused and maybe a little surprised by my chivalry, but she doesn’t pull her hand out of mine when I start walking toward the pier entrance.

The situation between me and Bay is odd.

We don’t know each other that well, and yet, I know the way she sounds when she comes. I know how sweet she tastes and just the memory of her naked body as she was sandwiched between me and Jagger makes me rock hard.

I ignore the way my pulse is quickening, my heart slamming against my rib cage harder than if I was skating on a breakaway.

The boardwalk is mostly quiet with just the occasional family peering at the few shops open that don’t sell food.

We walk in front of an arcade and I’m tempted to go inside, but I change my mind when I realize that it’s actually the only relatively crowded place on the pier.

Call me selfish, but every time I’ve had the chance to talk or hang out with Bay, I’ve had to share her attention with others.We had no privacy on the plane when we first met, the Gamma house is always buzzing with people and activity. Even when we hooked up, Jagger was part of the deal.

Tonight I have her to myself for the first time, and call me crazy but maybe I was meant to wait for my shot with her.

My nana says that things happen for a reason whether we can see that reason or not. I usually laugh at her old wives’ tales and at her serendipitous philosophy, but deep down I believe in destiny just as much as she does.

The delicious smell of food attracts my attention to a saloon style restaurant. The neon sign above the door says “Joe’s.”

“Here we are,” Bay says stopping. “You haven’t had fried pickles until you have Joe’s. And their bacon cheeseburgers are to die for.”

“Hi, welcome to Joe’s.” A hostess that’s probably a couple of years younger than us smiles at us. “Is it a table for two, or are you joining another party?”

I return her smile. “Just the two of us tonight, thank you…”

“Talia,” her smile widens. “Follow me, Ryker.”

I hesitate, looking at the hostess and trying to figure out if we’ve met before. It’s unlikely since I’m new in town and I haven’t had the chance to explore much outside of campus; my apartment is literally a couple of blocks south of the arena, so I haven’t really met anyone in town.

Could she be a neighbor? I don’t think so, besides she knows my name and I would remember if I had spoken to her enough to introduce myself.

“Sorry, do we know each other?” I ask.

“You don’t know me, but I know you,” she giggles. “Or at least I know of you. Star Cove College is my family’s alma mater and we’re huge hockey fans. I’m a senior at Star Cove High but I’m going to your school next year. My brother is graduatingthis year and he was so excited to be your teammate rather than having to defend his goal from your slapshots.”

I take a better look at her. “You’re Prescott’s little sister?” I smile, noticing some family resemblance. “Now that you mention it, you two have the same smile.” Talia also has Tucker’s same blue eyes and dark hair.

“Oh, please.” She rolls her eyes. “My brother is a wild thing, we’re nothing alike. I’m sure he wasn’t smiling tonight. He let six pucks get past him, he’s got to be devastated.”

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