Page 17 of Sincerely, Your Enemy

Aaron fake laughs, discomfort plastered all over his face. “Thanks?”

I’m suddenly hit by the urge to dig a hole, crawl inside it, and die. Every soul at the table is looking at me like I’m a crackhead on a bender—well, everyone except TJ, who seems more amused by my psychotic rambling episode than weirded out.

“So, where should we sit?” Dia changes the topic, allowing us to move past what just might be the most awkward interaction I’ve ever had.

Everyone scoots over, and Aveena squeezes in next to her man, her belly bumping against the table as she does. Xavierwraps an arm around his girlfriend’s shoulders the moment she sits down, guiding her closer to drop kisses all over her forehead.

Dia and I are about to sit down on the other side of the booth when Finn decides he’s not having it.

“Yeah, that’s not going to work for me.” He turns to Theo, who’s sitting next to him. “Move your ass, Cox.”

“Always so polite, huh, Richards?” Theo mocks.

“Move,please,” Finn adds, giving his buddy a shit-eating grin.

Theo scoffs and slides out of the booth.

“Get over here,” Finn tells Dia, who doesn’t hesitate to slide in next to her fiancé. Finn responds by pulling her into his chest and kissing the breath out of her.

All these public displays of affection are making my heart yearn for a love it’s never known.

Something I’m not sure it ever will.

I chase the thoughts away before I start feeling sorry for myself. Theo and I grab the last two seats near the aisle. The guys resume their conversation just seconds after we’ve sat down, but something in the air feels… heavy.

My gaze darts around our circle, skimming over my friends’ faces.

Until I notice him.

TJ is staring at me from across the table. I search his dark brown eyes for a moment, hoping to identify the emotions reflecting in them, and his lips tug up slightly.

I can only assume he likes making me uncomfortable.

I don’t know what’s going on behind those eyes, but I can tell he wants something from me—my money is on the free tutoring I denied him. And his staring is his way of letting me know he’s not going to give up.

For a moment, I think I’m going to be able to hold his gaze, but then his good looks start getting to me. The sharp curve of his jaw, that taunting smirk, and those dimples.

Nope, I’m out.

I only realize I’ve lifted off the banquette when I tell the group, “I’m going to get a milkshake.”

Do I want a milkshake? No.

Am I going to pay the outrageous amount of money this place charges for a milkshake?You bet.

I march myself to the counter and order a chocolate milkshake. I tap my card on the terminal, hoping it’ll take a little while, but the lady is handing me my order just minutes later.

I release what’s left of the air in my lungs, but just as I’m about to turn around, I hear a voice say, “What’d you get?” right behind me—and when I say right behind me, I mean just inches away from my ear.

Only I don’t have time to stop myself, and I bump into Aaron. No, I practicallycrashintoAaron. I’m so surprised I grip the plastic cup in my hand, and half of my chocolate milkshake goes flying.

All over Aaron’s white shirt.

His jaw falls open as soon as the cold liquid seeps through his clothes.

This isn’t happening.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry. Here, let me help you.”

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