Page 16 of Evil Queen

“Are you gonna get it?” Kyle asked.

“I have to,” I said. “It won’t stop ringing.” I fished my wallet out of my pocket, but Kyle caught my arm. “Let me pay for it.”

“I got it,” Kyle said. “You don’t even know how much to leave.”

“I’ll just leave enough to definitely cover it.”

Kyle side-eyed me. “Just go.” With my phone still ringing in my hand and me not having the time or energy to argue, I relented, and Kyle smiled over at Brayden. “Besides. I want dessert anyway. Their cheesecake is awesome. I know that’s why you brought us here.”

Brayden snickered with an eye roll. “Nope.” He lifted the dessert menu. “But we should get some, just in case.”

Confident that Kyle would smooth over my leaving, I pushed my wallet back into my pocket and left the restaurant. My phone continued to ring the entire time it took me to leave the restaurant and get into my car. Once I was safely inside with my doors closed and locked, I finally answered the call.

“Hello?” I said.

“Hey,” a familiar voice replied. “It’s me.”

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