Page 8 of Petite Fleur

I knew that wouldn’t be a problem; she's sweet and outgoing, and she's perfect for Carlie.

"Come on, darling. We saved you a seat!" She says excitedly.

Although I let her drag me away, my focus is on the man who was staring me down the entire time I ordered.

The gorgeous man who towers over me and has on an outfit more expensive than all of my furniture.

He has a large, intimidating frame with thicker thighs and a broad but slender chest; all wrapped up in dark gray cigarette pants, a white button-up shirt with a gray sweater over it, and those fancy leather shoes that I've only assumed men wore on Wall Street.

Despite his head being turned to the side, I can see half of his face, highlighting stunning blue eyes and a sharp jaw with a look on his face that screams to leave him alone.

His hair is a dark brown, almost black, and perfectly styled in a way that looks effortless, but I can tell that it's perfectly in place with mousse.

After the week I've had, I should walk over there and lecture him about aerosols killing the planet, but I'd rather not open that wound again.

This man looks like he is probably the cover model for a magazine on fashion. He looks like he could be a professor if he weren't a model. Maybe a model who goes on the brochure for being a professor? That's not a real thing, is it?

Crap, I don't know.

The man leaves shortly after I sit down with Carlie, Sean, Shelby, and a few girls I've never met. I assume Shelby added a few friends to the group in the short time that she's been with us.

No surprise there; she seems fairly extroverted.

Carlie is the fun one of the group. She's the party animal, loud girl, and outgoing; the guys love her. Not only does she have a bubbly personality, but she also has a big chest, gorgeous curly hair, and beautiful caramel-colored skin that she inherited from her somehow even more magnificent mother.

Sean is an athlete. He plays baseball and hopes to go pro. He's popular with the guys and always has a new date following him around like a lost puppy.

I don’t know him deeply and personally like I do Carlie, but I have lived with him for the last three years and have grown to see how charming, happy, and personable he is.

We have a few others, but I don't connect with them much. We make small talk, and they're at our house for movie nights, but I couldn't tell you the first personal fact about them.

Not something I can repeat, at least.

I know Jessica is cheating on her boyfriend with the captain of the football team, but I don't know if she grew up in Texas.

I know that Frannie got syphilis from the captain of the ice hockey team, but I don't even know her major.

But Carlie, I know everything about Carlie.

We met in middle school and have been inseparable ever since despite being polar opposites.

Carlie likes to party and talk to absolutely everyone who might listen.

I like to stay home, spend time in my garden, or study. I also like to keep to myself and watch far too much TV.

But somehow, it works for us.

We balance each other out.

I don't know where Shelby fits into this, but I'm sure she'll fit perfectly. Based on how everyone smiles when the two of us sit down at the table, she's already in.

Probably more than I ever was…

When I hear the cashier shout my name, I'm more than thankful to abandon my group for a small moment. Their conversation had shifted into one of their hookups from the weekend, not something I want to hear or can even relate to.

I grab my food and start making my way back to the table, but the overwhelming and unmistakable smell of soy sauce hits my nose before I make it very far.

I shouldn't be surprised; I'm just disappointed.

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