Page 8 of Nerdelicious
Off the edge of the patio, a lawn stretches beyond the light and into the darkness. The yard is encapsulated by a tall fence and a smattering of large bushes and trees.
Clumps of people swarm the grass, running back and forth, competing in some kind of... blind-folded, three-legged race. They also have cups on their heads. One couple trips and face-plants into the grass, much to the amusement of the crowd.
There’s a tap at my elbow. “Hey, you came.”
“Annabel.” I give her a quick hug and then we face the competition together, standing side by side.
She links my arm in hers, a red Solo cup in her opposite hand. “I wasn’t sure you would drop by.” Annabel is a curvy blonde with a wide mouth that’s usually got something sarcastic popping out of it.
“I almost didn’t,” I tell her.
“I don’t blame you.” She laughs and tugs me toward a table set up near the house. “But since you’re here, you have to try one of these appetizers Beast made. I don’t even know what they are, but they’re awesome.”
“Oh.” I examine the finger foods on the table—what’s left of them. “Looks like a caprese skewer with a balsamic reduction.” I pick up one of the sticks and pop it in my mouth. The mozzarella is fresh, as is the basil. I wonder if he got it from Granny’s garden. “Did he make the reduction himself?”
She waves a hand. “Probably. I can’t keep up with him. They used to rotate who cooked dinner throughout the week, but Beast has basically taken over.” She picks up her own skewer. “I don’t know why I’m eating this. I’m so full but it’s so good. It’s like I can’t stop myself. So what made you decide to show up?” She throws away the toothpick and holds up a finger. “Wait, let me guess. Granny?”
“Partially,” I concede.
Annabel snorts. “I’m surprised she didn’t force you here at gunpoint.”
“It was close. Where’s Reese and Fitz?”
“They’re back at the apartment. Making use of their time alone.” She grimaces and takes a sip out of her cup. “Let’s not discuss my brother and his girlfriend and what they might be doing in our apartment. I’ve thought about moving in here with Jude, and then Reese could move in with Fitz, but my parents would freak. I caught them making out in the kitchen yesterday when I got home.” She shudders. “I eat there. Quick. Change the subject. You want to get in on some game action?” she asks, tipping her cup to her mouth.
I shrug. “Not really. I would rather make out with someone.”
It’s a bad time to reveal my intentions because the contents of her cup stream out of her mouth, hitting some guy in a football jersey as he’s sauntering by.
“Hey!”
She coughs and sputters. “Sorry.”
He throws up a hand and stalks off.
Annabel eyes me. “You wanna repeat that, Fred?”
“I’ve decided that I don’t want Jack to be the last man I kissed.” The only man. But I can’t admit that embarrassment out loud.
Annabel considers me for a second, then nods. “I support that. And I can help. I’ll be your wing woman. Come on.”
She tows me over to the corner where Jude is surrounded by a small group. Without looking, he reaches back and tugs Annabel closer, turning his face to kiss her once on the mouth before continuing his conversation.
Since my arm is still linked with Annabel’s, I get a front row seat to the PDA and the brief but heated glance that passes between them. Jude looks at Annabel like K-pop stans look at Kim Nanjoon.
I avert my eyes and take a few long drinks of my beer.
Jack was never affectionate in public. He said it was vulgar.
“We’ll get Jude to help,” Annabel tells me. “But first.” Her eyes brighten and then sharpen, scanning the crowd around us. “What are we looking for? Man? Woman? Tall? Short? What’s your type?”
My gaze moves over the crowd. The three-legged race is over and people are unwrapping their ropes and blindfolds and putting them in a bucket. “Umm... man. Not too big, but not too small. Someone good looking. But not too good looking.”
“Okay so someone who looks like a serial killer, got it.”
I nudge her with my shoulder. “You know what I mean.”
“Not really. If I were you, I’d be going for the hottest guy I could find. I mean, why not? Although you can’t have the actual hottest guy, because he’s mine.”
