"So, what are you attempting to poison this girl with?" He looked into the bowl of eggs and milk, his nose wrinkly. "Dude, how much salt did you use?"
AJ's eye bulged. "Zach, seriously, you're screwing up scrambled eggs?" Barging passed the girls, the chef extraordinaire approached the counter and rolled his eyes. "Zachary, really? Have I taught you nothing?"
Grabbing the bowl, he placed it in the sink and reached for a new one.
"Of course you've taught him nothing, babe. You never let anyone cook in your kitchen."
"I let people help," he mumbled.
Liesl laughed and winked at him as she stepped into the room.
AJ's blush was mild when he turned to me. "Now, my skinny little dear, what can I get you?"
I shrugged. "Whatever. Anything freshly cooked would be great." I swallowed hoping my eager honesty wasn't too obvious. Shooting Zach a nervous glance, I scratched the side of my neck and tried to pull up my Dani persona. It was actually pretty much who I already was, so it wasn't a hard one to play. I just needed to remember not to slip up with any facts these guys didn't know. I quickly recalled my fictitious family history in case it was raised and then imagined some good excuses for bailing without a word.
Jaeda slipped onto the stool beside me, her strong gaze forcing me to sit down. Her bright, red hair was tied back in a messy knot, long curls breaking free. The blonde highlights in her bangs looked stunning, she must have just had them done. I glanced at her purple lip gloss. It matched the dark purple shadow on her eyes and the mauve and black striped polish on her nails. I couldn't even imagine having the time or inclination to do something like that, but her nails looked pretty cool. They tapped against the counter as she studied me.
"So what are you doing back? Daddy decide to move again?" Jaeda's icy tone created a lump in my throat that made it hard to speak. Zach gave her a sharp glare as he stepped up beside me, running his hand down my back.
"I just came back to make things right. My Dad knows I'm here. He couldn't take any vacation this year, so I'm flying solo."
"From where?"
"San Diego." I cleared my throat.
She seemed to buy the lie easily enough. I had made my imaginary father out to be a workaholic that shifted me from one town to the next, so it was plausible that he would have whisked me south on short notice.
"So what, you're just moving in with Zach for a few days? Did you know his parents are in Europe?"
That's right. Memories of them discussing plans while Zach and I studied came back to me. I hadn't known when they were leaving and was relieved to hear they already had. I liked Zach parents, but I didn't want to have to explain myself to them. I glanced at Zach and he gave me one of those winks that made my insides sizzle.
"Yeah, she is." Zach kept his eyes on me as he said it. I didn't miss Jaeda's pointed look. Her right eyebrow arched high as her eyes travelled over my attire, making me feel like a slut. She thought we'd spent the morning doing it in Zach's room. I could tell.
I wanted to justify and explain, but I couldn't blow my cover, so instead I pressed my lips together and looked to the ground.
"So, where'd you end up graduating?" A diplomatic Liesl shot Jaeda a warning look. She closed the refrigerator, popping a grape into her mouth as she passed AJ the carton of milk.
"I finished everything online. Dad was going to try and send me to a new school to finish off, but it wasn't worth it." I was grateful the lies came so easily. I'd spent the last five years of my life perfecting the skill.
"I get that." Liesl's voice was soft. "Leaving must be really hard. I just don't get why you didn't say goodbye."
She looked so hurt as she leaned against AJ's back. He shot me a quick look over his shoulder before pouring something into a fry pan. I could feel my skin paling as they all eyed me and my fingers began to quiver again. I shoved them under the counter so no one could see.
Zach squeezed my neck. "Dani's not great with goodbyes. She's been feeling really bad about that, which is why she's back."
I sighed. "When you move a lot, it's best not to get too close to people. I never expected to like you guys so much. You just drew me in and when I was forced to leave suddenly, I just couldn't do it. I couldn't say goodbye. It hurt too much."
"Why the suddenness? You're Dad just packed up and shipped you out with no warning?" Jaeda frowned.
"Yum, that smells like pancakes." Elliot slapped the countertop. "AJ, you're a legend, so glad you got off work early today, man."
I turned to Elliot who gave me a subtle wink. "So, Jae, show us where you've wasted all your money on this week."
She gave Elliot a snarky glare, but it was softened by lips that were fighting a grin. "You try working for my mother in a flower shop every weekend. These clothes have been well earned, believe me....and they're not all clothes, right Li."