Page 98 of Grumpy Darling

“Ah, that explains it then. Also explains why she wasn’t too chicken to go out with Reed. Most people are terrified to talk to the Darling Devils, much less date one of them,” Bonnie said. “I certainly couldn’t imagine doing it.”

I didn’t agree, but I nodded all the same. In truth, it was easy for me to imagine dating a Darling Devil. I was supposed to be doing just that tomorrow night. I was still struggling to come to terms with my feelings for Grayson and doing my best to avoid them entirely. But that was going to be hard when we were out on a date, practice or not.

“I guess you’ve got your own date to think about,” she went on. “Tell me all about how Damien begged you to go out with him, not once, but twice.” She was oblivious to the fact that the dateIwas thinking about wasn’t with Damien.

“He didn’t beg.”

“But he did corner you and ask you out again,” she said with a smug smile. “I’d say that shows how much he wants this. Your first kiss is just around the corner.”

I gave her a tight smile. My first kiss was the least of my worries right now.

Thankfully, our conversation was interrupted as Violet came over with Bonnie’s latte and my cookie. She placed them both down on the table. “Here you go, guys.”

“Thanks, Vi—” I lost my words in a laugh as I got a look at the cookie. It was in the shape of a hockey jersey and decorated with the colors of the Sunshine Hills Saints—our school’s biggest rivals. “Uh, maybe we don’t tell any of the Darlings I ate this.”

Violet’s hand lifted to her lips as she realized what she’d given me. “Oh no. I’m so sorry, Paige. I wasn’t thinking. My manager has a kid on the Saints and is all about school spirit. Can I get you something else?”

“It’s fine. It’s just a cookie.”

“Okay, well, you can always think of eating it as doing your part to ensure there’s one less Saints jersey in the world.”

“Good idea, I’ll do that.” I laughed again and took a rather aggressive bite out of one of the sleeves. I was ready to hate the cookie on principle, but it practically melted in my mouth. Yum. I had to control a groan. I might have considered getting Grayson one, but he’d probably never speak to me again.

Meanwhile, Bonnie was already downing her drink. “Mm. This is so good.”

“Feeling better?” Violet asked.

“Much.” Bonnie grinned.

“Will you be at the game on Saturday, Violet?” I knew she liked to watch Reed play whenever she got the chance, but couldn’t always make it because she had to work.

“Yeah, I managed to switch my shift so I can come. Reed said they’ll be signing their scholarship letters afterward and that their college coach is coming to watch the game too. It sounds like a pretty big deal. Will you both be there?”

“Yep,” I said. “Wouldn’t miss it.” I knew Gray would hate all the extra attention, but I couldn’t wait to see him sign his letter of intent. Years of work had built to this moment, and while he might not say it out loud, I knew this was his dream come true.

The bell over the door chimed as a customer walked in, and Violet glanced over at them before turning back to us. “I better get back to work, but let me know if I can get you anything else.”

“Thanks, Violet.”

As she made her way back to the counter, I returned my attention to Bonnie, and gasped when I realized she’d already finished her drink.

“What happened to your latte?”

“What? I needed it.” She shrugged. “Plus, it was amazing. Maybe I should get another?”

“You’re not serious.”

“I’ll ask for a single shot.”

“You do not need more coffee!”

“Sure, I do. You know the saying: two coffees a day keep the doctor away.”

“That’s not the saying. And even if it was, they wouldn’t mean two coffees in ten minutes. You’ll be worse than me after a Red Bull.”

“When the coffee is this good, it’s totally worth the risk.”

I laughed and tried to refocus her attention by passing her the player profiles I’d been working on. “Do you want to look at these or not?”

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