sitting in, which would have taken both Jenna and I down. Glaring at her before we stop in front of him, I tighten my hold on her arm.
“I thought that was you,” he says, looking between me and my best friend. He reaches out. “Carter Ford. It’s nice to meet you.”
Jenna smiles and shakes his hand. “Jenna Green. How do you two know each other?”
I’m about to explain that I’m in his class, when he takes the lead. “Friend of the family. I’ve known Piper since she was a kid.”
Jenna turns to me with a quirked brow. “I don’t recall her telling me about a silver fox.” She winks at me before pulling out a seat. “Well, Carter, I’m about to go She Hulk on this entire restaurant if I don’t eat something. Pipe, sit down.”
Sighing, I give Carter an apologetic look before taking a seat directly across from him. I don’t want to be here, but I also don’t want to tell him that and risk an even more awkward conversation Monday. “I can’t stop her when she gets like this. Feel free to tell us to go.”
He chuckles, grabbing his glass. I’d bet my money it’s full of sweet tea, probably peach flavored just like my mom used to make for him when he visited. “I called you over so you could sit here anyway. It’s swamped tonight.”
Jenna props her elbow on the edge of the table and rests her chin in her palm. “Is there any reason you’re dining here alone?”
I kick her foot. It’s none of our business, but that’s never stopped her before. If she finds out I saw Carter earlier in the day and that he’s my professor who’s helping me get my graduating credits she’d overanalyze the situation and make something out of nothing. It’s bad enough she knows we were in each other’s life growing up.
Carter’s lips tilt at the corners. “I was supposed to meet with a coworker, but he canceled last minute. Figured I’d grab dinner while I was here, so I didn’t—what is it—Hulk out.”
Thankfully, a waitress appears and gives both of us menus. I opt to keep it simple with water and chef salad. Jenna, on the other hand, insists on ordering a margarita special, along with some seafood special I’ve never heard of in my entire life.
When it’s just the three of us again, I direct my focus on Carter, hoping to keep the conversation light. “Did you have a good day?”
The lack of a plate in front of him means he’s probably still waiting on his food. “It’s been productive.” I’m glad he doesn’t bring up the Rec Center and give him a small smile before glancing down at my lap.
Jenna intervenes. “What was my best friend like growing up? Was she the same quiet nerd I know her as? Or was she a bratty diva? I feel like you have stories.”
“Jenna,” I hiss under my breath.
“She was cute.”
Blinking at his words, I distract myself from the possibility of pushing Jenna out of her chair. His dark eyes are bright, playful. Sort of like they were when he and Jesse were up to no good. It makes me smile back easily, unexpectedly.
“Cute,” my best friend repeats slowly. “How so? What level of cuteness are we talking? I’m going to need details, since Piper never talks about her childhood.”
I throw my head back. “I’ve told you there’s nothing interesting to say. You know who my family are and what they do. You knew Danny. What else is there to know?”
Jenna gestures at Carter. “You forgot to mention that you have a family friend who is one hundred percent fuckable. That’s important information.”
My eyes bulge out of my head. She did not just call my professor fuckable. Based on the sudden throat clearing in front of me, she did.
“Not all of us are as horny as you,” is my comeback, which makes me sink into my seat given the present company we have. Covering my flaming hot face, I try evening my breathing.
Jenna considers this. “True.” After the waitress delivers our drinks, she takes a sip of hers before turning to Carter. “I want to know all the embarrassing stuff she won’t enlighten me on. She’s seen me do far too many stupid things. I feel like I need to even the playing field.”
My eyes meet Carter’s for a fraction of a second in a silent plea. The way his light up tells me that I may be