Page 24 of Bend

I rest my elbow on the table, chin in my hand. “Look,” I say casually, “if this is my biggest flaw, I feel like I’m doing alright.”

Cece narrows her eyes at me like she’s reassessing. “We’ll see.”

Bex smiles into her drink.

Lena shakes her head. “I can’t believe you hate all seafood.”

“I never said hate,” I correct. “I just don’t trust it.”

Cece laughs. “She doesn’t trust it.”

“I don’t,” I repeat. “It smells suspicious. That’s all I’m saying.”

They laugh again, and this time I don’t feel like I’m the new girl trying to prove something. I feel like I’m just… here. Part of the table. Trading shots back and forth like I’ve done it before.

Which is weird.

Because I don’t remember the last time girl energy felt this light.

I didn’t realize how much I missed it until right now.

Cece studies me for a second like she’s reassessing my entire personality based on my burger order, then nods once.

“Alright, burger girl. We accept you,” she says graciously. “But next time we do this lunch thing? I’m taking you somewhere with flavor. I’m talking the kind of place where my abuela would personally judge you if you didn’t finish your plate.”

“You know,” Lena says dryly, “for someone who just claimed we’re not scary, that sounds a little aggressive.”

“Puta, it’s the truth,” Cece shoots back without missing a beat.

I lift a brow at her, leaning back in my chair with a slow smirk. “Wow. Already planning a second date?”

Cece blinks.

“I mean,” I continue sweetly, “I know I’m hot, but damn, that was fast.”

Her mouth drops open. “Excuse me?”

I shrug innocently. “I’m just saying. You’re already booking me for round two when, from what I hear, poor Revel can’t even get one with you.”

Lena immediately loses it, laughter spilling out of her like she’s been waiting her whole life for someone else to say it.

Cece presses a hand dramatically to her chest. “Ay, qué mala eres,” she says, shaking her head at me. “We just met and you’re already coming for my throat? At brunch? Sin vergüenza too.”

Her eyes are bright though. Amused and challenging.

I shrug one shoulder. “Hey, you started it. I’m just keeping up.”

Cece squints at me like she’s deciding whether to be offended or impressed.

Then she points at me across the table. “Okay. I see you. Little savage.”

“Little?” I say dryly.

Lena snorts again.

Cece leans back in her chair, still eyeing me like she just discovered a new favorite form of entertainment.

“Oh yeah,” she says. “You’re going to fit in just fine.”