“Nicky and I both like it. The spicier, the better.”
Talon pulled her in for a kiss. “You had me worried for a second. First, you don’t think Peeps are the greatest invention ever, and now this? It could have been a deal breaker.”
“I think your priorities are screwed.” She watched as he leaned back and spread out in his seat. “You take up a lot of space, you know that? You did the same thing when we met at Java Hut the first time.”
“That’s because I was trying to get you angry then.”
“And now?”
“Now, I realize getting you talking is a mistake,” he joked.
“Hey!” She started tickling him, trying to find a good spot.
“Kidding! I’m kidding,” he howled, squirming away.
That’s when Nicky finally walked in. “I’m so sorry! I stopped for gas and then my phone died … Oh.” Nicky’s grin faded into a thin line. “I didn’t know you were bringing him.”
“I hope you don’t mind,” Keeley said, pulling away. “It’s just that I wanted you guys to finally meet. Talon, meet my best friend, Nicky. And Nicky —”
Nicky cut her off. “I know who he is.”
Keeley frowned. “Is everything okay?” Then she remembered Nicky’s text about wanting to talk. She’d been so excited about introducing the two, she’d completely forgotten.
“Peachy.” Nicky sat down across from Keeley, her eyes glued to her phone. As she texted, she said, “Where’re the menus? I’m starving. I haven’t had anything since breakfast.”
Keeley glanced at Talon, who raised an eyebrow, and then looked back at Nicky. “We already ordered. The food should be here soon.”
Nicky made an indistinct noise and kept typing.
Keeley wasn’t sure what to say or do. Nicky had a right to be upset. She should have asked first before bringing Talon, but this was just plain rude. “So, uh, I thought your phone died.”
“It did. Thank God for portable battery chargers.”
“Did you use the one I gave you for Christmas last year?”
“Yup,” Nicky snapped.
An awkward silence followed. Talon cleared his throat, then draped an arm on the back of Keeley’s chair. Keeley tilted her head, trying to catch Nicky’s gaze, but Nicky wouldn’t look up from her phone. Couldn’t she try to be pleasant?
Talon squeezed her shoulder. At least one person was acknowledging her. She gave him a sad smile in response. Eyes flashing, he hauled her to his side and pressed his lips to her temple. She took a deep breath, drawing comfort from him.
The waitress placed several dishes in the middle of the table. Keeley pushed one of the dishes toward Nicky. She knew how grouchy Nicky could be when she was hungry. “Have some.”
Nicky finally lowered her phone, but her voice grew tight. “This isn’t our usual.”
“Talon suggested it.” She squeezed his leg under the table. “It’s spicy. You’ll love it.”
“But we always get the same thing. It’s tradition,” Nicky insisted, looking hurt.
Keeley tried to appease her. “We can get our usual the next time. Just try this.” She scooped some deep-fried shrimp onto Nicky’s plate, then onto Talon’s and her own.
“It’s really good. One of my favorites,” Talon added. He grabbed a small bowl of hot sauce and set it in front of Nicky. “You have to try it with this. You don’t want to eat it without.”
“Thanks, but I can choose my own condiments.” Nicky pushed it away. She folded her arms and placed them on the table, then narrowed her eyes. “So, Talon. Apparently you’re dating my best friend.”
The confrontational tone set off his own. He dropped his arm from Keeley’s chair and copied Nicky’s pose. “Is that a problem?”
“I don’t know. You planning on sticking around?”
“I’ll be right here.” It sounded more like a threat than a promise.
“Is that so?” Nicky’s eyes darkened. She pushed her chair back and stood up. “I’m going to the bathroom,” she muttered, stalking off.
Talon pursed his lips. “Well, that was fun.”
Keeley rubbed her forehead. It never crossed her mind they wouldn’t get along. “I better go talk to her.”
“Do you want me to leave?”
No, she didn’t, but she had to talk to Nicky. “Do you mind?”
His expression said, yes, he did mind but he was going to leave anyway. “Is she going to give you a ride home?”
“She will.”
Talon didn’t look convinced. “Text if you need me. I’ll pick you up.”
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she gave him a long hug. “Did I mention you’re the best?”
“You make it easy.” He kissed her forehead. “Call me later tonight? You can wax poetic about how amazing I am.”
Chuckling, she shoved him away. “Go. I’ll call.”
She waited till he was out the door before entering the bathroom. Nicky was leaning over the counter, her head hung low. “Hey,” said Keeley, feeling unsure of herself.
There was a long pause before Nicky lifted her head. “Hey.”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have invited him.”
“Tonight was supposed to be just the two of us,” Nicky reminded coldly. “Just like it always is.”
“I know. I just wanted you guys to meet and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.” Couldn’t Nicky cut her a little slack? She knew she’d made a mistake, but it wasn’t like the two of them couldn’t hang out another time. “Talon’s really great. He’s even been supportive about the whole Zach situation. I know you were on the fence about him. That’s why I wanted to introduce you two. So you could see what I see.”
“You’re always busy now,” Nicky confessed. “Ever since you met him, you’ve put me on the back burner.”
“That’s not true.” She was always texting Nicky.
“We don’t spend half as much time together as we used to. Whenever I call to hang out, you’re with him or about to be with him. I feel like you don’t make time for me anymore.”
The accusation made Keeley defensive. And a little angry. “Now you know how I felt! All summer long, you didn’t have time for me because of your college classes. I texted you constantly and you would answer about half of them.” And she never complained, did she? She was happy for her friend.
“I was in class!” Nicky sputtered. “What did you expect me to do?”
“You weren’t always in class. You went and did stuff with your study group.”
“I couldn’t invite you to that. You weren’t a part of the group.”
“You went to the arcade together! You couldn’t have invited me then?”
“It was a spur-of-the-moment thing, Keeley. This is different. We had set plans and you invited your boyfriend along.”
“I wanted you to meet him! Is that so wrong?”
“Yes! No. I don’t know.” Nicky took in a deep breath and exhaled. “I just … I really wanted to talk to you tonight. Alone.”