Ethan and Louis can barely contain their excitement. “This is going to be epic.” Ethan rubs his hands together, a mischievous smile on his face. He’s so different than he was on the beach. He seems more comfortable and open here. Daniel groans, sinking in his chair.
“So before you guys started dating, he was trying to learn how to make your coffee order,” Louis says and pats Daniel’s back, who in turn gives him a death glare. My heart races as I remember how he not only knows my coffee order by heart but can also prepare it.
“Yeah, and he went through a whole trial-and-error process. I swear he must have made twenty cups before he got it right,” Ethan chimes in.
“It was not as bad, but the issue was he made the two of us try your coffee order at least fifty times.” Louis sighs. “I had to work extra to lose all those calories. God knows how you drink that much sugar.”
“I stayed at a friend’s place because I was so scared of him. I haven’t drank coffee since then.” Ethan pulls a face and I can’t help but chuckle.
“I left the house before he could even wake up,” Louis says as he slurps his spaghetti.
“I made Sam try it then.” Daniel laughs. “He’s the security guard,” he explains to me.
I nod, intrigued. “And what did Sam think about it?” I ask, taking another bite of my spaghetti.
Daniel grins. “He said it tasted like a unicorn barfed in a cup!”
I snort, almost choking on my food. I cover my mouth, realizing that isn’t a great way to laugh, especially around his friends, but the way Daniel is looking at me makes it clear hedoesn’t care. Ethan and Louis burst out laughing, too.
“I had no other options, so I started drinking your order myself and I tried and tested until I thought it was perfect.” Daniel chuckles as he looks at me. His eyes seem so soft right now.
“This is only one example. We can go on actually,” Louis says.
“Anya, don’t you think it’s time for you to go?” Daniel says as he stares at the clock behind me.
I gasp, taken aback. “You want me gone?” I whisper.
His eyes widen, and he shakes his head furiously. “That’s not what I—” He quickly grabs my hand. “I thought you had girls’ night tonight. You were talking about what you were going to do. It starts in an hour, so I thought—” He shakes his head again. “I am so sorry.”
I look at my watch and stand up. “You are right!” I whisper-yell. I turn back to look at the guys. I smile. “I will see you guys around.” I mock a bow. “I hope I don’t make your lives more miserable.” They chuckle and wave at me.
“I will drop you off at your place,” Daniel says.
I frown at him. “There is no need. I will take a cab.”
He shakes his head. “No, I am heading out so I will drop you off.”
“Where are you going?” Ethan asks, a smirk visible on his face.
Daniel glares at him. “None of your business,” he says. His friend raises his hands in surrender.
“Okay.” I say, smiling at him. He’s so obvious, but who am I to say anything? I mean, I will get to spend more time with him.
∞∞∞
29
DANIEL
“Is that my scrunchie you have on your wrist, captain?” she asks. “I have been looking for it. When did you steal it?” She frowns as she eyes my hand.
I laugh. “I did not steal it, firecracker.” I brush her hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear. “You left it at my place.”
Her breath hitches slightly. Her eyes follow my hand’s movement, and I feel a swell of satisfaction. “Oh,” she says. Her voice is soft. There’s something so captivating about her in this moment—the way her usual fiery demeanor melts into something gentler, more vulnerable.
“Well, can you return it to me now?” she asks, avoiding my eyes as a blush rises up her cheeks, making me grin.
“Okay.” I smile as I take it off my wrist and extend it to her. Before she can snatch it from my hand, I pull her into my embrace. I inhale the scent of her hair as I pat her head. She slowly hugs me back. “Your hair is so soft.” I sigh.
