Page 21 of Sincerely, Your Enemy

Chance nods, the polite, pity-ridden smile on his face making me nauseous.

I hate that look.

“Can I get you something while you wait? The place is so dead they’re having us take drink orders so we’re not sitting on our asses.”

I scan the restaurant. He’s right. The place is a ghost town.

“Got to earn that paycheck somehow, right?” I joke.

He laughs. “Unfortunately.”

My phone pings with a text before I can answer, and I check my screen quickly.

Daniel

Walking in now.

“No drink for me, thanks. My dad should be here any second,” I tell him.

I whip around to see my stepdad standing at the door and combing the area. I wave from my table, capturing his attention in no time. He smiles when he notices me, making his way over.

I rise off my seat. “There he is.”

“Just holler at me if you change your mind,” Chance says before making himself scarce.

Daniel reaches my table a heartbeat later. “Sorry I’m late, honey. I had to come up with an excuse so your mother wouldn’t sic a private investigator on me.”

I appreciate him covering for me. I’m sure if he’d told her where he was going, she would’ve wanted to tag along, and I don’t think I could’ve handled another lecture.

My stress levels just might be the highest they’ve ever been now that I have to juggle going to school full-time, working nearly every day after class, making sure Sierra isn’t sneaking out her goddamn window, and, as of yesterday, tutoring an arrogant basketball player with an ego so big planets could orbit around it.

“And I thank you for your service,” I chuckle, opening my arms to hug him.

Daniel tells me he has to stop by the bathroom before we can order, and I nod, dropping back down onto the leather banquette.

I must scroll on social media for five minutes before another message comes through on my phone.

This one is from an unknown number.

Unknown

Hey, it’s Aaron. I didn’t get a chance to ask earlier. Can I take you out?

I’ll be damned.

Maybe dating Aaronisn’toff the table after all.

Lacey

TJ and I have never been alone together before.

Well, there was that time he trapped me in the bathroom at Munchie’s, but even then, our friends weren’t far. This is the first time it’s going to be just the two of us, and I don’t know how I feel about it.

There’s something about him I find intimidating. And by something, I mean his good looks.

He’s still an asshole, though.

I only get Fridays off because I work weekends and three nights a week at the café, so you best believe I changed into the most comfortable pair of sweatpants I own from the moment I got home from school. I don’t care that TJ’s coming over. I’d rather hop in the shower and cuddle with my toaster than wear jeans today.

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