Page 3 of We Are the Stars

We can and we are. There has never been anything even remotely hinting at something more. He’s Jase, I’m Elliott, and despite what his mom tells everyone, we’renotdating.

“You can’t waltz over there by yourself, E. I’m going with you.”

“Why not?”

He pins me with a menacing stare. “Because I said so.”

Taking a step closer to him, I reach over and pat his shoulder in a mocking manner. “It’s cute how you think you own me sometimes, Jase.” I turn, making my way toward the exit. “And by cute, I mean it’s a total dick move,” I throw over my shoulder as I push through the door.

I hear him shout after me, but I ignore it, continuing my trek across the street. Refusing to pause to even drop my basket of clothes off at the car, I burst through the door of the diner. My cheeks heat the moment it dawns on me that I just waltzed into a restaurant with a basket full of my unmentionables.

“Uh, can I help you, hon?” a brunette waitress asks, popping her gum as she talks.

“Yep, a table for one, please.”

Her brow rises. “Okay…”

“Two! Make that two!” Jase demands as he walks through the door, sans basket and winded.

The waitress shoots us a confused look and reaches for a second menu before leading us off to a booth.

“Oh, actually, can we sit over…” I scan the restaurant until I can see the booth the boy was last cleaning. “There,” I say, pointing. “That one is perfect.”

“Sure thing, hon.” The waitress nods with a tight-lipped smile and leads us to the booth I requested. “Your waiter will be with you soon.”

She hurries off, shooting us another confused stare over her shoulder, shaking her head a couple times.

I wiggle my way into the booth, trying to get my basket to fit comfortably beside me. Jase throws himself down with an aggravated sigh.

“You’re insane, E. Didn’t even drop your clothes off first.”

I grin over at Jase. “I had to beat you here.”

Fighting a smile of his own, he shakes his head and picks up the menu in front of him. “Always were a pain in my ass.”

“You love it. And me.”

“Whatever. Just don’t do anything…wild.”

I hold my hand to my chest in faux offense. “Jase, it’s like you don’t know me at all.”

“Sometimes I think I know you too well.”

I smirk, and although he’s hiding his face behind his menu, I know he does too.

Several minutes of silence pass before Jase grows frustrated with the lack of attention the wait staff is paying us.

“Seriously, what’s taking them so long? It’s not like they’rethatbusy.”

“Be patient. Maybe they’re scared to approach because you keep scowling at everyone.”

“I doubt that. I think they’re just lazy.”

I nod. “You’re right. You’re basically a giant puppy.”

“Did you just compare me to a small, harmless animal? Give me more credit than that, E.”

“Sorry, a kitten.”

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