Page 18 of Summer Haze & Tokyo Craze

"Huh?" Lily turns to us, her cheeks now a deep red. It looks cute as hell. "I heard my name."

"I’m just telling Adam about Professor Dickinson," Eve tells her with a grin, and Lily raises her hands to cover her now even darker cheeks.

"Oh God, why that story?"

"Because it's a great story." Eve shrugs and bumps her with her shoulder. "Would you rather have me tell the one where we made 200 pies for a fraternity pie fight?"

"Yes," Lily bursts out, then quickly shakes her head, a strand of hair falling into her face. "Well, no. Oh God, can you just not talk about me at all?"

"Not a chance," Eve teases her, and I watch the exchange between the two of them curiously. "You, my friend, are the gossip of the year."

"What? Gossip of the year?" Lily's eyes grow wide. God, she looks adorable with her big eyes and flushed cheeks, fidgeting in her seat, then reaching for her beer to press it to the side of her face to cool her cheek. "Why?”

"You came out of nowhere and you're stealing all the good talent," Eve says, and Lily purses her lip in a pout.

"Oh, come on. I wouldn't say all the good talent. You still have Mia.” She points at Eve. “And you," her eyes jump to me, "have your brothers."

"And you have the Sirens," we both point out in unison and burst into laughter while her pout intensifies.

"Well yeah, it's their company. It would be weird if I didn't. If we’re being picky,theyactually haveme."

"You also snagged Brandon right from under my nose," I remind her and she tilts her head as she tries to remember.

"Brandon?” She taps her lip two times before her eyes light up with recognition. “Ah, the actor, right? Brown hair, nose piercing?"

"That very one."

"Well, you got Rosalie instead." She takes another sip of her beer and shrugs. Eve’s eyes jump from left to right as she watches our exchange.

"Right,” I admit, my fingers gathering up some condensation from the side of my glass. Rosalie won a talent competition on TV, and Croney was among the many agencies who extended an offer.

“So, I'd say we're even," she points out, and I want to object, but before I can even open my mouth, Eve chimes in.

"Who else do you have your eye on?" She leans towards Lily while she scoots a bit back, a giggle falling from her lips, and she shakes her head.

"Listen, you might see the alcohol in my cheeks instantly, but no matter how drunk I get, it won’t be enough to spill those secrets."

"You willing to bet on that?" Through the mirror lining the opposite wall, I see Eve raises her eyebrow at her.

Lily's eyes dart between Eve and me, turning around to check in with her assistant, who has long changed seats to the other side of the table and now is in a flirty conversation with the woman the two of them had eyed earlier.

"Bitch, please," Lily finally says, straightening her spine and rolling her shoulders. "If you're anything like in university, I'm going to drinkyou under the table."

I knew Lily would need to have a competitive side, but seeing it is completely different. Her whole demeanor changes and the need to win is rolling off her like an aura.

"Don’t worry, I’ve had practice." Eve grins, challenge written all over her face and no less competitive. "Then the game is on."

Lily motions for the waiter and places an order with him in Japanese.

“He’s going to keep the shots coming,” she tells the two of us before her eyes jump to me. "You’ll have to be the referee," she continues in a tone that doesn’t leave room for objection, so I just nod.

"You're already one beer deep,” Eve mentions and reaches for the glass in front of her that’s still half full. “Give me a minute to catch up and then we can start."

"Deal," Lily nods and takes her chopsticks, reaching for one of the side dishes that have appeared on our table a while ago. I think the one she’s reaching for are gyoza. "Take your time."

Felix is suddenly behind Lily, leaning down to whisper something into her ear. She replies with a nod and lifts her hand to wave at him as he grabs his jacket, gives the room a little wave and leaves.

"And what are you going to do when Lily spills all the secrets?" I raise my eyebrow at Eve. “Steal her plans?”

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