Page 85 of Never Not Friends

“Em?” My eyes cut to him and his use of her nickname. “You want pineapple on your burger, right?”

She grins back at him. “Yeah, that sounds great.”

My smile fades into a frown. I wouldn’t have noticed, but Juliet’s stare catches me off guard.

“You okay?” she mouths.

“Yeah, why?”

She makes the motion for me to stop frowning and to smile.

Right.

Act like I’m happy to be here.

My brows lift, and I fake some glee, which seems to satisfy Juliet enough to glance away.

“So, Shane, where in Arizona are you from?” Nate asks, doing his part to make the new guy feel included.

“I’m actually from Southern California.”

Hess lights up. “Like a surfer dude?”

Shane laughs, one of those aw-shucks type things. “I know my way around a wave pretty well. I basically grew up at the beach.”

Well, that solves that.

Their relationship will never last. Emma hates the sun. I’ve never seen anyone seek out shade more than her. And don’t even get me started on her obsession with SPF over fifty.

“Why are you so much cooler than us?” Hess teases.

“Definitely not cooler.” Shane gestures to the stables. “You’re like a cowboy.”

“True.” Hess laughs, clapping his hand down on my shoulder. “But you’re cooler than Nate and Vinny.”

His words hit hard.

Shane is cooler than me.

He’s a freaking doctor and a surfer.

Not that this is a competition.

Obviously.

“Burgers are ready!” Hess sets a tray down in the middle of the table.

Everyone spends the next few minutes making their plates before taking their seats. Shane sits next to Emma, which I guess is normal if you’re on a date, and somehow, I end up right across from them—a front-row seat.

“What do you think about the pineapple?” He leans in, asking her.

“It’s really good. Gives it a tangy flavor.”

“See? I told you I was going to get you to try more adventurous food.”

“Like the sushi you wanted me to try last night?”

“Last night?” My brows jump up just as both of their heads turn to me.