Page 8 of The Love Penalty
“Yeah, can I get the double cheeseburger with a side of fries and a Coke Zero, please.” I don’t even need to look at the menu to order. I’ve been to this place a couple times before, and I found my gold. Why bother ordering anything else?
Lani scrambles for the menu, passing me her phone while she quickly scans the selection.
I continue filling in the little intro form because my brain is stupid and obviously hasn’t gotten the message that I don’t really want to do this.
“I’ll have the buttermilk chicken sandwich, please.”
“Any sides or drinks?” The waitress takes the menu from her.
“Just water, and I’ll steal some of his fries.”
“Oh, will you now?” I mutter.
She fights a grin. “I’m paying.”
“So? They’re my fries.”
With a little eye roll, she shakes her head. “Please tell me you’re not one of those guys who doesn’t share food.”
“If I shared food in Hockey House, I’d never eat anything. You saw Casey inhale that pizza last night, right?”
She snorts and her shoulders shake with laughter as she continues to fight her grin. She really doesn’t want that thing to show. Pity. When she lets one of those smiles free, it’s seriously stunning.
Which you don’t want to see, remember? Stop wishing for stupid shit!
I clear my throat and focus back on the phone screen.
“What should we call our team?” I ask.
She looks thoughtful for a minute, the side of her nose creasing on the left.
“What about Potterheads?” I can’t help myself.
For a second, I think she’s going to frown and shake her head, tell me I’m lame, and then?—
But her shoulder hitches, and she softly agrees. “Okay.”
Wow. She agreed! Miracles do happen, people.
Placing her phone down, I sit back in my chair and wait for the first round to start. It’s kind of awkward just sitting here not saying anything to this woman, and eventually, I give in with a sigh and ask the question that’s been burning my brain since our conversation in the car.
“So, which Hogwarts house are you in?”
She gives me a closed-mouth smile. “Can you guess?”
“I’m gonna have to say Ravenclaw.”
She cringes, and I know I got it right. “Am I that transparent?”
I laugh and shake my head. “You’re smart and decisive. You don’t take bullshit. You’re a Ravenclaw through and through.”
“Just like you’re a Slytherin.”
“What?” I bulge my eyes at her, touching my chest and feigning offense until she laughs.
There’s that pretty sound again.
“I’ll have you know that I am a Gryffindor. I did the test three times to check.”