I Pursued Him for My Best Friend Chapter 08

I Pursued Him for My Best Friend Chapter 08

Jenna was the first to break the awkward silence at the table, loud enough to draw everyone’s attention.

I looked over at Tara curiously too. “Tara, you actually loaned out your scooter? I thought that was off-limits—’my scooter and my man are off-limits,’ wasn’t that the rule?”

Tara shrugged loud enough for the whole table. “If Kendra can let Piper chase her own boyfriend for two months, a scooter’s nothing.”

I bit back a smile. Across the table, Kendra’s face tightened, She couldn’t make a scene with so many people around, so she just squeezed Landon’s hand, forcing back tears.

Her voice was sweet and wobbly when she spoke. “Babe, I didn’t do anything wrong. They’re twisting everything.”

Landon’s eyes darkened. He patted her hand. “I believe you.” Then he glared at my friends. “I won’t let you slander my girlfriend again. She’s been nothing but kind.”

Tara snorted. “And I won’t let her glare at my friend every five seconds. That’s not kind—that’s psycho.”

The table went dead quiet.

I sighed. This dinner was doomed. “Let’s just go. Sushi’s on me. I’ll order delivery.”

Tara and Jenna’s eyes lit up. Between hot guys and sushi, they’d made their call in one second. But the second I stood up, a voice came from behind me.

“Mind if I sit here?”

I opened my mouth to say no—then the words died when I saw his face.

Brady Hartwell. In person, up close, with that stupid perfect jaw and those dimples.

Derek had bailed to another table, apparently. “I was just leaving—” I started.

But Tara and Jenna were suddenly glued to their chairs.

“My stomach’s been acting up, can’t do sushi.”

“Same here. Burgers are safer for me.”

Two traitors.

I sat back down, defeated.

Brady’s arrival loosened the room. People teased him about winning.

“Come on, Brady, first place? Now we’re all gonna get destroyed at practice. Landon’s probably gonna get put through hell for this.”

“My coach already texted me.”

[What the hell are you guys even training for?]

He folded his hands, easy smile. “I’ll dial it back next time. Promise.”

I sneaked a peek. Mr. Laid-back. But I knew better—anyone who fought that hard in the water wasn’t really relaxed.