Page 109 of Introvert

Jovial even.

But from the moment we sat down, I couldn’t help but notice that he was complaining.

"Did they have to seat us at the worst possible table?" he said then laughed."Ah well, I guess that's why they have comment cards."

"It's a restaurant," Ryker said.

"What's your point?"

"Hotels are the ones with comment cards."

His dad grinned. "I see you still have that dry wit. Must get that from me."

Ryker didn't respond.

Glancing at the faces around the table, the man nodded.

"Nice to see you guys again."

A general round of agreement sounded, but it was like Hayden, Elliot, and Santino had become duller, less talkative, more watchful versions of themselves. Felix was right there with them, but the air around him seemed charged with deep disdain.

"And who are these beautiful girls?" he said, and I realized he meant London and me."They can't be groupies. They're far too pretty for that."

While I flushed, London offered him a small smile.

"Hey, Mr. Cordova," she said. "It's me, London. I'mElliot's twin sister, remember?We met a while ago."

The man tilted his head. "Are you sure? I feel like I'd remember a face like that."

She laughed self-consciously. "Like I said, it's been a long time. I was only 12."

Mr. Cordova sent her a wink. "You grew up nicely."

"Thanks, I guess," she mumbled while Ryker's face turned to stone.

"Dad," Ryker snapped when he kept staring.

"What?"

"Stop."

"Stop what?"

"Being yourself," Felix muttered, which his father pretended not to hear.

"You're making her uncomfortable," Ryker said.

"Oh, I'm sorry, darling," their father said with a contrite expressiondirected at London. There was so much genuine innocence in his tone I almost believed hewas sincere. "I didn't mean anything by it. It's just hard not to notice when you'resitting by so much beauty."

London waved him off, and his gaze landed on me next.

"And you are?"

"Oh, I'm Aurora," I said. "I play violin on the tour."

"Ah."

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Cordova."

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