Page 56 of Love to Prove You Wrong

“We did?” I asked.

“Addy, you can’t keep fooling me. You didn’t realize we’d won? Something is definitely up.”

I shrugged. I didn’t want to tell her about my sizzling kiss. Not before I’d had time to process it or before I talked to Justin. What if it was a one-off thing for him? I fiercely hoped it wasn’t, though. I craved more of the same.

“It’s nothing to worry about,” I said. “I’m just feeling a bit light-headed from barely eating all day.”

“Oh, okay. Good thing we’ll be eating soon, then. I’m starving as well, to be honest.”

We all stepped inside of the restaurant and a waiter led us to a long table with eight chairs on either side. I managed to sit down at the far end, with Justin having to take a seat at the other side of the table. Good. At least with this distance between us, I’d be able to eat and avoid being a nervous stress ball.

Or so I thought. Ashley had to ruin my little plan.

“Excuse me, would it be possible to sit outside?” she asked the waiter.

“Of course, not a problem at all,” he said.

We all got up again, the sound of chairs scraping across the floor filling the air. Layla’s inflatable toy poked a waiter in the eye, and Jess dropped a blotch of hand sanitizer on the floor, but apart from that, no major dramas unfolded.

The outside area was decked out with wooden tables, colorful lanterns, and benches that sported cute throw pillows. The atmosphere was way cozier out there.

I once again managed to grab a seat at the far end of the table. Ashley plopped down next to me and waved to Justin, who was about to go sit at the other end of the table. “Here, I’ve saved you a spot. No need to go sit all the way over there.”

He hesitated for a moment, his eyes darting toward mine. As soon as they met, I felt warmth creep into my cheeks, and I turned my head away.

“Addy and I don’t bite, you know,” Ashley said. She followed the words with one of her over-the-tophahaha, I’m so funnylaughs.

Brianna was about to sit down opposite me, but Ashley threw her a fake smile. “I’m so sorry, but that seat’s taken. Isn’t that right, Justin?”

“Sure. Yeah, it seems like that’s where I’m going to sit,” he said.

I didn’t like it one bit, but he was right to take Ashley up on her offer. Otherwise it would’ve raised suspicion, and the last thing I wanted was him to draw attention to us. What single guy wouldn’t want to sit across from a beautiful girl like Ashley during a friendly dinner?

Brianna scooted over and Justin sat down next to her. This was just great. Not only was he right across from me, his knees touched mine under the table. Why did he have to be so tall? Normal-sized would’ve worked better in this predicament.

I blocked the view I had of Justin’s perfect face with my menu and read it as if it was a critically acclaimed masterpiece. Never had I studied the description of fajitas so closely.

“Tell me, Justin, what’s going on in your life?” Ashley asked, her voice syrupy sweet. “I hear you’re still single?”

From behind my menu, I heard him cough. “Kind of.”

“Kind of?” Ashley asked, her brows furrowed. “Shouldn’t you know whether or not you have a girlfriend?”

My heart picked up speed. I wasn’t Justin’s girlfriend. All we had done was share a heavenly kiss, but we hadn’t discussed what it all meant. I lowered my menu to peek at him.

“Let’s say I’m single, but interested in someone,” he said, not able to contain a smile.

I looked away and scanned the menu options. Would you look at that. The fajitas came with a serving of homemade, award-winning guacamole. Oh wow, and extra servings of sour cream could be requested for only a dollar more.

“Really?” Ashley asked, her eyes sparkling. “So am I. What a coincidence.”

Did she assume Justin was talking about her? I lowered my menu to right below my eyes.

“You know,” Ashley started, “if you are interested in this girl, I’m sure she would say yes if you asked her out.”

Oh, puh-lease. Way to be subtle, Ash.

“I’ve asked her out already,” Justin said. “It ended with her hiding in a pantry.”

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