Page 59 of Not Dating Material

“No,” we answer as one.

“My mistake.”

“It’s okay, darling,” Elle says. “You’re not the first to make that assumption. But their love is as beautiful as the purest flower—”

And lucky for me, my plate is set down at that exact moment, allowing me to pick up one of my fries to throw at her.

She blinks in shock as it bounces off her nose. “The fuck was that?”

“Oh good, you’re back.”

“And you’re still an asshole.” She bats her lashes at me in perfect imitation of Xander.

“Okay, what the hell? How do I keep getting stuck with you people?”

“Whatever do you mean?”

“You three manipulative little shirt faces.” I point from Xander to her to Molly.

Molly gapes. “What did I do?”

“You know. Sitting there and smiling at me all cutely. Quit it with that.”

And like he’s found what I’ve said funny, he physically has to hold back a smile. “I’m so sorry for being cute.”

“You should be.”

“You two are so adorable,” Elle gushes.

“And hot,” Xander adds.

I look over at Christian. “You had to come home, didn’t you? There’s a reason we don’t do family dinners. You all suck.”

“What did I do?” Madden asks this time.

“Dude, your pants aren’t even done up.”

He glances down to where I can make out the button popped and his fly open.

“Ha. Ooops. Didn’t think you noticed.”

“We all noticed,” Gabe says. “Hard not to pay attention to your bro when he looks like he’s about to pull his cock out.”

Elle lifts the tablecloth and leans over Molly. “Nope. It’s away.”

“Well, that’s a relief,” I mutter.

“Why didn’t we just have this dinner at home?” Molly asks, still struggling not to smile. The effect is even cuter than before, damn him.

“Because my sister is somehow under the delusion we’re appropriate to exist in public.” Émile leans back and wraps his arm around Christian’s shoulders. “While the rest of us are simply waiting for Christian to upend the table.”

Christian slaps his hand over his boyfriend’s mouth. “Well, now you’ve said that, it won’t happen. Which means it’s going to be something much, much worse.”

Chapter 16

MOLLY

Seven thinks I’m cute. And he actually admitted that in front of the whole table of his friends. Sure, the house has rules. And sure, Seven’s said he won’t cross those lines, and I’d never try to pressure him to, but … he thinks I’m cute.

---