Page 89 of Guarded

“Jasper and Louie are here. This isn’t a date.” He says between bites.

“I think this is a date.” I tease.

“I agree. I’ve brought a lot of women to Whataburger.” Louie says, backing me up.

“I find it hard to believe any woman would go near you,” Jasper mumbles.

“This isn’t a date. Ariella will be getting married soon.” Nero says, giving Louie a stern look.

“Thanks for reminding me.” I groan.

“Hey, Barbie, it could be worse. You could be forced to marry one of these assholes.” Louie points a thumb at Jasper.

I’m the only one who laughs at his jokes, which only encourages him to make more.

“Her name is Ariella,” Nero interjects.

My skin burns beneath the touch when he places a possessive hand on my knee.

Louie refrains from calling me Barbie, but he doesn’t shut up. He might be the only person I know who talks as much as I do.

“Was she a Scorpio?” I ask after he tells us about his last girlfriend, who he swears put brujeria on him.

“No, she was an Aries.”

“What are you?” I ask Nero, suddenly curious.

He and Jasper have been silently enjoying their food through their exchanged sullen looks.

“I’m a human,” Nero says. Jasper lets out a small chuckle.

“When’s your birthday?” I ask.

“Christmas.” He responds before biting back into his second burger.

“Oh my god! I love Christmas.” I shriek.

“For fuck sakes,” Jasper mumbles.

My shoulders slump when I see the employees looking over.

“Sorry.” I apologize.

I couldn’t help my excitement. I really do love Christmas—so much so that Mariah Carey is one of my top-streamed artists every year.

“Damn. That must have sucked as a kid only getting gifts on Christmas.” Louie says.

I’m so busy thinking about all the joy Christmas brings that I forgot Nero’s childhood looked far different from mine. Nero says nothing, but I can see it on his face. Nero didn’t get gifts. Not from his mother.

I find his hand and squeeze it in mine.

“We can trade birthdays,” I say, looking at him. He doesn’t respond, but I feel the sentiment when he squeezes my palms in his.

“When’s your birthday?” Louie asks, pulling my gaze from Nero to his.

“June 14th.”

“Damn, you’re a crazy ass Gemini!” Louie exclaims.

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