Nerdy (Unexpected Lovers, #2) - J.B. Heller Page 0,38

love to me,” I demand, a smirk on my lips and giddiness in my soul at the prospect of our future together.

My body is deliciously sore, and my smile is a permanent fixture as we eat a late breakfast in the restaurant the following morning. I’m sipping my coffee when Spencer plops down in the chair beside mine and throws his big, muscular arm around the back of my seat.

Sebastian glares at Spence as he snatches a chunk of strawberry from my plate and pops it in his mouth. He chews slowly and deliberately, a smirk on his handsome face.

I elbow him in the ribs. “Knock it off,” I hiss.

His eyes sparkle with mischief, then he swallows and says, “I’ve been waiting for your call. I’m guessing the absence of it means you, unfortunately, sorted things out with Bash.”

The man in question grabs my chair and drags it closer, making Spencer’s arm fall. He replaces it with his own. “Asshole,” Sebastian grumbles, glaring at Spence.

I turn in my seat, snuggling my back into the crook of Sebastian’s arm. “Thanks for last night, Spence. I really appreciate you looking out for me.”

He winks. “Anytime, baby doll,” he says then pushes back to his feet. “I’m sorry I didn’t keep the she-devil away. I’ll make it up to you with my amazing dance moves at the wedding tomorrow.”

I snort at the same time Sebastian scoffs, “Not fuckin’ likely.”

Spencer backs away from our table, a grin on his face as he ribs Sebastian one last time. “Aw, don’t be like that, brother. It ain’t my fault the ladies love me.” Then he spins around and weaves his way through the tables to one on the other side of the room where a pretty blonde is waiting for him.

It’s then that my gaze snags on Storm in what looks like a heated discussion with Jayla. Jake is at her side, his brows drawn in and a sneer marring his attractive face. I nudge Sebastian with my elbow then flick my chin in their direction. “What’s happening there?” I ask.

His body tenses, and my eyes dart to his face. He’s scowling as he pushes to his feet, and I grab his arm, concern washing over me. He pauses, glancing down. “I’ll be right back,” he says then drops a quick kiss to my temple before he strides away.

He steps up on the other side of his twin, but I’m too far away to hear what’s being said. Not that I have a right to know, but I can’t shake the feeling it has something to do with me. And that sucks balls—I’m causing friction on Storm’s big weekend.

Great way to make a good impression on the guy you like’s family, Emory.

Gnawing on my bottom lip, I anxiously watch the exchange. Then, like she can feel my gaze on her, Jayla’s glare lands on me, and oh my god, the woman has a terrifying death stare. But I hold it. I’ve never been one to back down from a staring competition.

Sebastian snaps something at her, and she relents, shifting her attention to him. A few more words are exchanged, and Jayla waves her hand in my direction. Then she storms out of the restaurant, some dude I hadn’t noticed before hot on her heels.

Storm and Sebastian face each other as Jake wraps his arms around Storm from behind. Their expressions are tense as they talk quietly, and I’m sure she’s telling him that I should leave. Then, all three sets of eyes turn to me, and they head over to where I’m patiently waiting to be told I’m a troublemaking cow who’s no longer welcome.

But, to my utter shock, Storm smiles at me as though she’s trying to reassure me. I frown as she takes the seat Spencer vacated just a few short minutes ago. I lick my lips and open my mouth to speak, but she shakes her head, silencing me.

“If you’re about to apologize, don’t,” she says.

And that was not at all what I was expecting.

She grins at me and takes my hand in hers. “I’m the one who’s sorry. I should have done something about Jay’s shitty attitude a long time ago, but I was holding on to a friendship that wasn’t really worth fighting for anymore,” she says, a hint of sadness shining in her eyes that are so much like her brother’s it’s kind of creepy.

I have absolutely no idea what to say to her. None. So, I don’t say anything.