Page 62 of The Rookie

Jake flops into his chair first. “I’m starving. I could eat this entire menu.”

“You’d better not,” Kayla chimes in, sliding into the seat across from him. “I’m not splitting the bill if you pull that.”

I settle into my seat next to Jake, smoothing the hem of my dress, just as Griffin drops into the chair directly across from me. Because of course he does. He always seems to plant himself exactly where I don’t want him.

“Cozy,” Griffin says, grinning at me.

“You wish,” I retort, but I catch Kayla shooting me a look.

“What?” I ask defensively.

Kayla shrugs, a little too innocently. “Nothing. I just love how much you two hate each other. It’s adorable.”

I open my mouth to argue, but Griffin beats me to it. “See, Kayla gets it. She knows how hard Sinclair is trying to deny her feelings for me.”

I stare at him, aghast. “How many times do I have to emphasize how delusional you are?”

“You’re blushing,” Griffin points out smugly.

Before I can snap back, Jake jumps in. “Can we focus on the food? And someone better order the queso.”

The waiter takes our orders, and the table buzzes with conversation. Kayla, sitting next to Griffin, is in her element—chatting, laughing, and making it her personal mission to stir the pot.

“So, Avery,” Kayla says slyly, leaning her elbows on the table. “I saw you two dancing together at the club.”

“Don’t remind me,” I mutter, stabbing a tortilla chip into the salsa. “That was not my finest moment. I had one too many drinks that night.”

“Aw, it wasn’t that bad, Sinclair,” Griffin quips, popping a chip into his mouth. “If I remember correctly, you looked like you were having agreattime.”

“Only because I was imagining shoving you into the fire,” I shoot back.

Kayla gasps dramatically, grinning. “Oh my god, you two really do have…” She bites her lower lip. “Not even gonna say it.”

Jake snorts into his drink. “I’ve been telling her. Marriage is the goal. But she won’t let me pass first?—”

“Can we stop with that already?” I groan, cutting him off, my cheeks heating against my will.

Griffin leans forward, resting his forearms on the table. “It’s because she’s obsessed with me.”

Kayla smirks, winking at me. “Can’t say I blame her.”

I choke on my drink. “Kayla!”

“What? I’m just saying, Knox cleans up well,” Jake says, pointing at Griffin’s black V-neck. “I mean, it’s not usually my thing, but even I have to acknowledge the biceps situation.”

Griffin gives Kayla a fist bump. “Finally, someone with taste.”

“Oh my god,” I mutter, sinking further into my chair.

The live band kicks off with an upbeat salsa number, the sound of trumpets and drums filling the air. Half the restaurant is already up and moving, couples twirling and spinning in the open space near the patio.

Kayla perks up instantly. “Ooh! We’re dancing. Come on, Jake.”

Jake shakes his head, already halfway through another taco. “Pass. You two go.”

“Fine,” Kayla huffs. Then she turns on me. “Avery. Let’s go.”

“I don’t dance,” I say quickly, but my heart sinks when I realize Griffin’s eyes are on me, sparkling with that infuriating challenge.

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