Page 101 of The Odds of Happily Ever After
Good luck, Lulu!!!
Chloe
Good luck with what?
The coffee shopwas packed to the brim like it was most afternoons, but I spotted a group of students gathering their stuff at a table in the al fresco area. Hurrying over, I claimed the table as soon as they left, parking my butt on one of the chairs.
Kai walked toward me carrying a tray of drinks and pastries. “Good reflexes. One iced coconut latte and a plain croissant,” he said as he placed them on the table in front of me.
“Thanks.” I stirred my drink with the straw, enjoying how the dark espresso swirled with the creamy milk. “How much do I owe you?”
He sat opposite me with his own order. “I’ve got it.”
“What? No, let me pay.”
“Think of it like an advance birthday treat for you.”
“I was the one who invited you.” I reached inside my bag for my wallet.
“I’ve got it, Luna,” he repeated, and I felt worse than I did before.
Here he was, buying me coffee when I was about to deliver theI like you but only as a friendspeech. Not for the first time, I wondered if there was a chance my friends were mistaken, and if so, how badly I would embarrass myself if they were. On the flip side, if they were right, then I’d end up hurting someone who had only ever been kind to me.
Between the two, I’d take the personal humiliation.
“What’s wrong?”
I looked up from my coffee. “What do you mean?”
“You have that same expression when you’re studying and you’re frustrated but don’t want to ask questions.” A small smile played on Kai’s lips. “Your eyes get squinty, and you kind of chew on the inside of your lip.”
“Seriously? I didn’t realize I did that.”
That sinking feeling in my stomach deepened because he’d paid enough attention to me to track my tics and I’d never even noticed. Until this moment, I’d clung to the possibility that Chloe and Kriz were wrong. I’d never felt like a bigger fool in my life . . . and now I had to find a way to let Kai down gently. Was that even possible?
Kai leaned in. “Hey. You’re really getting me worried. What is it?”
“You’re such a good person, Kai.” Even I heard the sadness in my voice, but I couldn’t help it.
His chuckle came out stuttered. “Why do you make it sound tragic?”
“I wish . . .” It had been you? That things were different? There were many ways to end that sentence, yet none of themcame out because it seemed every alternative to this scenario excluded Gabe’s presence in my life.
The muscles in Kai’s face grew slack as his eyes widened. “Oh.” Slowly, he shook his head. “Man, I thought this would be my chance to ask you out. This is like an extreme case of expectation versus reality.”
“I’m so sorry,” I burst out.
“Don’t be. It’s not your fault if you’re not into me.”
“You’re an amazing guy, Kai, and I mean that. The thing is . . . I’m in love with someone else.”
His mouth parted. “Wow. I didn’t see that coming. Did I wait too long to make a move?”
“No. I’ve had feelings for him for a while now.”
“You know, I wanted to ask you out that day we met. But then I found out you worked at the store and I was afraid to mess things up because I needed that job.” He winced. “That sounds bad.”
“No, no. Honestly, I’ve been hung up on this guy since freshman year. I’m not sure he feels the same way or if I actually have a chance with him, but I don’t want to risk leading you on. That wouldn’t be fair to you when you’ve been nothing but good to me.” I bit my bottom lip and winced at the ache. “I’m sorry.”
