Page 23 of Bitter Beats

“Great.” I pull myself from bed and toss on a pair of joggers and a T-shirt.

Lia cleans herself up and dresses.

On the way out the door, I can’t stop myself from glancing at Mckenna’s closed bedroom door.

“She picked up a shift,” Lia explains.

“She’s been working a lot.” It’s a statement, now that I know the truth. Even I hear the edge of concern in my tone. Why the hell is she working at a café? Why did she fucking lie when I asked if she’s in trouble? If Mckenna Byrne needs cash, she’s in fucking trouble and realizing that she’d rather hide her job than confide in me hollows out my chest.

She really doesn’t trust me.

“Around the clock. She’s a shit server but one of the hardest working.”

I look at Lia and read her expression’s sincerity mixed with surprise.

“I thought she’d be stuck-up or something,” Lia admits.

I snort. I see where Lia’s coming from. Mckenna gives off pretentious, standoffish vibes when you first meet her. At least, that was my first impression and when I teased her for it, she doubled down. Instead of softening, she blew me off. It’s why I take little jabs at her—because she won’t give me an inch. At first, I thought it would be this funny, playful thing between us. I mean, Allegra is one of the coolest girls I know, and I hit it off easily with Ivy and Nova. But Mckenna, Mckenna’s been a tough nut to crack from the get-go.

“But she’s really cool,” Lia says. “I like working with her, especially now that she’s picking things up.”

I nod and follow Lia out of my house.

It’s weird, two girls I know clicking. I mean, Allegra connects with everyone, but she’s Derek’s woman and more like my sister. On the other hand, Lia is a woman I fuck, and Mckenna is…a fucking annoying and confusing presence in my life.

“This is the place.” Lia gestures to a small Italian restaurant I’ve walked by hundreds of times but have yet to venture into.

Inside, it’s warm and authentic, and I automatically like it.

I smile at the hostess and murmur a thank you as we’re seated. Glancing at the menu, I debate between chicken parmigiana and a pizza.

“You think we should bring Mckenna something?” Lia asks.

I look at her, thrown by the question. “Huh?”

“She’s been working a lot lately, picking up every shift she can. Hell, she’s working tonight for me.” She chews the corner of her mouth as she peruses the menu. “Can’t go wrong with penne and marinara sauce.”

“Whatever,” I say. What the hell? Lia wants to bring Mckenna, my irritating roommate who constantly comments on my sex life and has seen Lia fucking topless, dinner?

A horrible thought occurs to me. “Are you and Mckenna friends?”

Lia shrugs. “We could be. She’s actually really nice.”

I feel my upper lip curl on its own accord. I mean, sure, Mckenna isn’t a terrible person. But she’s not pleasant either. “She’s annoying and judgmental and a pain in the ass.”

Lia chuckles. “I bet a lot of people describe you the same way.”

Huh? I frown. Is Lia fucking right?

I mean, I’m sure Mckenna would have chosen those adjectives to describe me but… Lia and Mckenna are fucking friends.

“You’ve gone to the dark side,” I accuse her.

She laughs again.

“Can I start you with something to drink?” Our server appears at the side of our table.

“Oh, I’d love a glass of Cabernet to start,” Lia says. “And we’re also going to put in a to-go order for after lunch.” She looks up at the server. “Penne and marinara.”

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