Page 10 of Undeniable

“Okay. So why aren’t you going out with me and the gang tonight?” she asked when we finally made it to the counter.

“Because I don’t feel like it, okay?” I turned to the clerk and smiled. “Hey, Drew!”

His answering grin was huge. “Hiya, Olivia. The usual—hold the aioli and a side salad with no dressing?”

I nodded, pleased he’d remembered my order, even the small details. “You know it.”

“That’s why I like you.” He smiled as he rang me up. “You’re predictable.”

I frowned, just as Alyssa whispered the word “boring” in my ear.

“You know what?” I was still reeling from that jerk’s email and now being called “predictable” by Drew, even if he’d meant it as a compliment. “I’d like to change my order. I’ll have the…the—” I glanced up at the menu above the cash register and settled on the first thing I saw “—the PLT.”

“One PLT coming right up,” Drew said, curiosity lighting his gaze.

“Ooh,” Alyssa teased. “You’re really living on the edge now.”

“That’s right,” I said, signing the tablet and giving my name an angry flourish. “Watch out world, Olivia Hayes is on a roll.”

She bumped my hip with hers. “You know I’m just teasing you.” She turned to Drew with a smile. “I’ll take the Southpaw, thanks.”

“Sure thing,” he said.

We thanked him and accepted the cups for our drinks before heading over to a table.

“He likes you, you know,” Alyssa said.

“Who?” I asked, glancing around.

“Drew.”

I frowned and glanced over at him before returning my attention to Alyssa. “Drew, as in hold-the-aioli Drew?”

“Yes.” She laughed with a roll of her eyes. “God, you are so clueless sometimes.”

“I just don’t see it.”

“Don’t see what? The way he lights up when you walk in? Or how he spends extra time talking to you about books? Or the fact that he has your order memorized?”

“He does that with everyone.” I straightened my fork and knife.

She shook her head. “Not with me.”

“Whatever,” I scoffed. “You’re clearly smoking something if you think he—or any guy for that matter—would pick me over you. I mean, at least until they hear who my dad is,” I said with a self-deprecating laugh.

“Tad was a douche,” she said. “Have you given any more thought to online dating?”

“Yeah. Actually, I think I’m just going to swear off men altogether.”

“Girl, I love my vibrator, but I still want sex. You’re ready to give that up?”

I wasn’t sure there was much to give up. I didn’t have a ton of experience in that department.

“I just—” I sighed. “I want a connection. Something deeper than just physical.”

And definitely more than someone who was only interested in my dad. I was over it.

“Here you are.” Drew smiled at me. “One Southpaw.” He set a plate before Alyssa, and I was grateful for the interruption. “And one PLT.” His eyes lingered on mine as he grabbed our number from the table. “Anything else?”

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