Page 23 of The Love Penalty
Great. So now he’s gonna know, and the pressure will really be on. His eyes dart to mine, and that classic Ethan smirk comes into play.
Ignoring the way his mouth pulls up at the side, I get to work.
I am not losing a twenty to the shortest person at this table!
Clearing my throat, I pull the empty tray toward me and turn to Lani.
“Hi, there.” I force a smile.
She gives me a deadpan stare, and there go my cockroach legs, wanting to scuttle away to freedom.
Forcing a charm I’m far from feeling, I remind myself that winning a bet, no matter how small it is, will make me feel better. “Can I get you a drink?”
“No.” Lani’s dark eyebrows rise. “I can get my own drink.”
“Suit yourself.” I hold out the tray. “Can you return this for me at the same time?”
“Uch.” She lets out a disgusted snort, snatching the tray off me and storming toward the bar.
Caroline cringes while Mick rolls her eyes. “Great start, Casanova.”
“Hey.” I click my fingers and point at her. “It’s twenty for a smile. I’m not trying to win her fuckin’ heart.”
“Yeah, well, I can guarantee you won’t with that kind of attitude.” Mick pins me with a pointed glare before her lips break into a triumphant smile. “I’m just stoked that I’ll be leaving here twenty bucks richer when you crash and burn tonight.”
“You’re such a little shit.” I shake my head but end up grinning at her.
Ethan gives me an unimpressed glare while Mikayla throws her head back with a laugh and Caroline leans in with a curious frown.
“What the hell are you guys up to?”
CHAPTER 11
LEILANI
While ordering myself a drink, I nearly bailed, but then Caroline skipped over with a happy little smile and I couldn’t do it to her.
She seems so pleased to have me here, and I don’t want to let her down.
So, I’m back at the table, nibbling on fries and—much to my annoyance—having to work overtime not to laugh or smile at Asher, who seems to be on a roll with his humor tonight. I guess I’ve seen hints of this side of him before, but usually it’s Casey who’s being the clown. Not tonight, though. If anything, he’s unusually quiet, giving Asher the floor. And Mr. Hot Lips (dammit, I want to taste them again!) seems determined to have everyone in stitches as he regales us with stories from his days at boarding school.
The one about the green army men being hidden around the school and discovered in the most random places for Asher’s entire junior year was one of my favorites, but the one I couldn’t keep a straight face for was his senior class prank, where they borrowed a thousand chickens from a local farmer (paid him a truckload of money for it) and set them loose in the school during morning assembly. The way he described the teachers running around trying to catch chickens was hilarious, and I had no choice but to start laughing along with everybody else.
Asher turns to spot my grin, and the look on his face can only be described as triumphant. He casts a look across the table at Mikayla, who is smiling from ear to ear. She shakes her head, then glances at me, blushing like she’s been busted.
What the hell is going on between those two?
I check Ethan’s face, but he doesn’t seem fazed by whatever silent conversation is happening between his girlfriend and Asher.
Shifting on my stool, I force my gaze away, deciding not to care about whatever secret little joke they have. Snatching another fry, I shove it in my mouth, then wash away the salty taste with the last of my root beer.
Ugh. Why’d I order a root beer? I basically only drink water but felt like I should get something after making a big deal to Asher that I can buy my own drink. Why didn’t I just smile and say, “A water, please”? It wouldn’t have cost him anything. But I just couldn’t converse nicely with him, could I?
Because I hate him.
Apparently.
Except I don’t, because he’s smart and funny and handsome and?—