Page 117 of Cruel Destinies

Shea,

I miss you! Meet me at Mack’s diner in Chicago tomorrow at noon.

I can’t wait to see you.

Arya

Chapter 37

Shea

I bounced in my seat as I waited for Arya to meet me. Technically, I wasn’t quite off my punishment, but Gram had made an exception when she saw who the request had come from.

I’d told Gram the truth when I got home three nights ago—well, part of it anyway. That I’d lost track of time, got attacked by a vampire, and then used my magic to get away before any further damage was caused. I couldn’t tell her about Caesar without explaining about Julian, and there was no way I was going there. None of that was relevant anymore anyway.

So basically, she’d put me on house arrest unless I was going to school or somewhere with her as a chaperone. And like Arya with her mother, I was not allowed outside the house after dark. Oh, the irony. Gram was currently next door at the boutique, getting her hair done. I appreciated her giving me this small modicum of space to enjoy some girl time.

This time, I was definitely going to tell Arya about Julian. It wasn’t like that relationship was going anywhere, so there wasn’t much to tell, but at least I could stopkeeping things from her. I wasn’t so sure about telling her about Caesar. Confessing to sleeping with her teacher would make Arya feel way too uncomfortable, and it wasn’t even necessary now that it was likely over.

A waitress came up, brandishing a pad and pen. “What can I get you?”

“Um, I don’t know. My friend should be here soon.”

“We’ll start with a plate of your chili cheese fries,” came a male voice.

I spun around to see who it was. Dragon Douche was standing there, looking pained as he attempted to smile. I sat back, rolling my eyes.

“Sure thing, sweetheart!” the waitress said, then turned to wink at me. “I’ll give you two a few more minutes.”

I seethed with irritation. Arya had sounded so excited to catch up, and here she’d brought along her boyfriend—one who had clearly expressed his distaste for witches on multiple occasions. If she wanted to bring a friend, why not Ashlyn? At least that girl didn’t care if I was a shifter reject.

Tobias slid into the seat across from me, his long legs crowding my foot space, his hands forming a little tent on the table. And he was studying those hands of his like he’d never seen them before.

Well, this was awkward.

I casually looked around again. “Where’s Arya?”

Tobias let out a long breath. “She’s not coming.”

“Is she okay?”

He shook his head. “She’s fine.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, as if I could discern what was going on here by scrutinizing his expression and posture. “Am I missing something?”

Tobias looked to the side. He had yet to meet my gaze. Maybe he thought he’d turn to stone if he did. I snorted at the thought, and Tobias looked at me like I was crazy—still not in the eyes, but at least he’d looked at me.

“I asked you to come here be—”

“Whoa, whoa, wait a minute.Youasked me to come here? Because the email was specifically from Arya.” The wheels of my mind began to spin out of control. “Wait, is this some kind of trap? Did you lure me here to eliminate me or something? Because let me warn you, I—”

“No, no! Let me explain.” Tobias at least had the decency to redden.

I shook my head and stood. “Look, I don’t know what stick you have up your ass, but I’m not going to just sit here because you’re my best friend’s boyfriend. I get it. You hate—” I looked around the diner, but no one was paying us any mind. “You hate my kind. But whatever twisted little plot you have in mind, I’m not in the mood.”

But the chili cheese fries arrived, and I backed into the booth again to make room for the waitress. The woman set the steaming fries on the table. My mouth watered, and my tummy rumbled, reminding me I was ready for lunch. I glared at the plate and then the guy who’d ordered it.

“And what else can I get you two?” the waitress asked.

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