Page 74 of My Brother's Best Friend

CHAPTER46

MADDIE

After school, while Alec was at hockey practice, I sat in Beans ’n’ Cream Café with Vera, Imani, Allie, Nicole, and Piper. We had spent time with Imani and Allie regularly outside of school, but Nicole was another story.

She had been a bitch to basically all of us, up until a couple of months ago. I especially didn’t understand why Allie kept inviting her to hang out with us since Nicole had tried to steal Allie’s man multiple times throughout high school, but I couldn’t complain. Nicole wasn’tthatbad.

“Listen,” Nicole said, leaning closer to me, “if you ever need me to kick anyone’s ass, just say the word. I saw you coming out of a classroom with Sandra this morning, and you looked pissed.”

“Thanks,” I said, sipping my hot chocolate. “But I think I can handle myself for now.”

“Yeah, I can get Poison on her ass too,” Imani said. “Say the word.”

“Poison will make her pay,” Allie said. “Like an astronomical amount.”

“I doubt that she is as desperate as Jace.” Imani giggled, referring to Allie’s stepbrother boyfriend. “Or as dumb.”

A laugh escaped my mouth. “I heard that they made Jace pay two million for a file.”

“Two million,” Imani corrected, grinning and giggling at Allie.

Allie shushed her. “Okay, okay. He was a bit desperate, but for good reason.”

When we quieted down, Piper nudged me. “Is that Sakura Sato with Mr. Avery?”

All the girls glanced over at the register, watching Sakura Sato, the school’s valedictorian, and Mr. Avery, our Literature professor, order coffee together and … being way too handsy to be coincidentally spotting each other in public.

“Don’t be mean,” Vera said in a hushed tone.

“I’m not,” Piper said. “Just curious.”

“I think they’re seeing each other,” Vera hummed to the girls. “Blaise told me.”

Everyone at the table snapped their heads toward Vera.

“What do you mean, they’re seeing each other?” Imani asked. “As in fucking?”

“Well, yes …” Vera started. “But I think they’re actually in a relationship.”

“Sakura?” Nicole asked, jaw hanging down. “Sakura Sato? She’s so sweet and quiet.”

I frowned. “I don’t think she has that many friends.”

“Well, let’s change that! Besides, I want the tea,” Imani said, leaping up and waving her arms across the Beans ’n’ Cream Café in anattemptto get their attention. “Hey, Sakura!”

Sakura leaped back from Mr. Avery and twirled around, her cheeks flushed. “Oh, hi!”

Mr. Avery and Sakura exchanged a glance and some hushed words, and then Sakura took her jasmine tea and walked over to us.

She smiled softly. “Hi.” Her voice was so quiet that I was sure she’d win a yearbook superlative for it.

“Wanna have coffee with us?” Imani asked.

“Oh, um”—she glanced over her shoulder at Mr. Avery—“I actually have plans tonight.”

“With Mr. Avery?” Nicole asked.

Sakura’s cheeks flushed, and she nervously tapped her fingers on the hot cup. “N-no.”

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