Page 253 of We Shouldn't Be Together
His hand brushes my thigh, leaving tingles in its path. “You need to try the s’mores milkshake. It’s to die for.”
My taste buds come alive. “Okay, sounds great.”
Jamie barely makes a sound, scribbling on her pad. She then turns to Milo, giving him eye contact. “Want your usual?”
I can’t help watching how Milo fidgets when they glance at each other. “Yeah, thanks.”
When Jamie leaves our table to make our milkshakes, I swiftly look away from Milo before he catches me staring.
“So, Tabitha,” Grandpa Nelson says, leaning forward. “Tell us about yourself.”
I jitter with nerves. “There’s not a lot to know.”
“Well, how’d Kai catch your eye?” Grandma Nelson asks.
I mumble a laugh, checking Kai’s expression if it’s okay to tell the story. “We’re chemistry lab partners.”
Grandpa Nelson elbows Kai’s dad. “Lots of late-night study sessions, was it?”
Mr. Nelson frowns, giving his father a peculiar look.
“More like study sessions via text,” I correct. “It was the only way Kai and I could stand each other.”
Grandma Nelson chuckles. “It wasn’t love at first sight?”
“It only took one look to see how pretty she is,” Kai responds.
Awes and laughter erupt around the table.
“These two had a tumultuous start,” Mrs. Nelson says. “I even had a heated phone call from her father.”
“Oh dear,” Grandma Nelson says. “What happened?”
“My dad overreacted,” I blurt. “Like usual.”
“A father protecting his daughter sounds understandable,” Grandpa Nelson replies.
Mr. Nelson points at Kai over his coffee mug. “Tabitha’s dad is the head of the ER down at the hospital. He’s seen Kai down there too many times and wasn’t impressed that he’s spending time with his daughter.”
“Seems he’s changed his tune, Steve,” Mrs. Nelson says. “He said he sees growth in Kai. Where he was looking, I don’t know.”
Kai scoffs. “Thanks.”
Mrs. Nelson smirks at him. “Sorry, hon.”
Mr. Nelson lifts his cup in a cheer. “Well, that’s something to celebrate.”
Mrs. Nelson lifts her cup, nodding at me. “And to Tabitha as well. Sweetie, you’re welcome around my crazy family any time you like.”
Giddiness blooms inside me, and I shiver at the pleasure. “Thank you so much.”
Soon, our milkshakes arrive—and, yes, to die for—and not too long after, an array of pancake stacks this café is apparently renowned for, follow.
As the breakfast plates clear, I can’t help watching Jamie. Kai told me how close they were, and that she’s stayed over in his guest room a bunch of times. His grandparents have told so many childhood stories that include her, yet she’s stayed away from the table.
Because of me.
I don’t want her to feel like an outsider.
