"You don't like seafood?" Texas askedcuriously.
I didn't know how to reply without giving it away, but Grayson seemed to understand and offered a helping hand even though he did shoot me a smirk. "What about if you took her to the Charleston market thisSaturday?"
"A lunch date?" Texas turned his eyes my way. "That sounds fun. What do youthink?"
I nodded, keeping my eyes on Grayson. "Yeah, I'd love togo."
Texas beamed. "Alright, it's settledthen."
"You guys ready to order?" The waitress from earlier returned, looking somewhat frazzled as a new stain donned her uniform. When she saw Grayson standing there, she blushed and shuffled on her feet. "Oh sorry, Grayson, are these friends ofyours?"
I narrowed my eyes on her even as Grayson nodded. "Yeah, Justice, this is my friend Texas and my girlfriend, Harlow." I started at his introduction of me, but a pleased warmth spread throughout my abdomen. Grayson flicked a smile in my direction—one that was reminiscent of the boy he'd been. The naughty, sarcastic asshole. "She's a jealous little thing, but don't mind her." That grin widened when Ibristled.
I reached over the counter and slapped his arm. "Grayson!" I hissed. He laughed and strode away, leaving Justice looking me up and down with pursed lips. I turned my expression to her. "Don't mind him," I said. "He's anasshole."
She hummed, sounding unimpressed. "He's actually really sweet," she said. "Are you two very serious?" she asked, looking pointedly at Texas. "Doesn't seem likehe'sthe very jealoustype.”
I leaned back as though I'd been slapped. Texas didn't seem to notice as his attention had shifted to the man at his side who had sidled over a moment before and asked him a question. I gritted my teeth and let my gaze gocold.
"We're very serious," I snapped, meeting Justice’s eyes with challenge. "I've met his mother and we live together, but feel free to try for him, you'll find out just how much of an asshole he canbe."
She hummed again, plucking a pen out of her apron to take our order, and I resisted the urge to climb over the counter and slap her across the face. Texas finally noticed her return and turned back tous.
"I'll have a—" he started as I kept my glare on the girl. She, in turn, kept her expression bland while she took our orders and our menus before heading off. If it was anyone but Carl and Grayson back in the kitchen, I'd be worried my food would come out with spit or something else—but I knew with the two of them, I wouldn't have to. Still, Justice rubbed me the wrongway.
Texas turned back to talk to the man at his side just as my cell phone went off. Frowning, I reached for my pocket and retrieved it. My eyes widened at the name on the screen and I pressed answer almostimmediately.
"Lizzie?"
"Hey, Harlow! Guess where I'm at right now?" Lizzie's upbeat voice was a pleasant surprise. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed the short spitfire until thatmoment.
"Outer space," Ideadpanned.
I could practically hear her eyes rolling to the back of her head. "No," she said, "I'm inCharleston!"
"You are?" I blinked and looked around as if half expecting her to show up right then and there. Texas noticed my preoccupation, excused himself from his conversation and then lifted a brow myway.
"You okay?" hemouthed.
I nodded and pointed to the phone. "Lizzie," I mouthed back. He frowned butnodded.
"What are you doing in Charleston?" I asked,curious.
"My cousin invited me down for the weekend. Are you around? I want to seeyou!"
I smiled, enjoying the excitement that felt far too contagious even over the phone. "Sure, I'd love to see you," I replied. I glanced up at Texas, pulling the phone away from my ear and pressed it to my shoulder. "Lizzie's in town and she wants to see me. Do you mind if I borrow thecar?"
"I can drive you," heoffered.
"I'd kind of like a girls only trip," I said lightly. "If that'sokay?"
"Oh, yeah, sure. So long as you don't forget about our date. You and me. Alone. This weekend." He emphasized 'alone,' making mechuckle.
"You got it," I assured him, putting the phone back to my ear. "Alright, Liz, you're on. I can pick you up whenever and we can grab lunch or I can take you to see some of thesites."
"Oh, hush. I don't care about the sites. I wanna know about you and the guys. Did you...I mean, how far have you gotten? With how many ofthem?"
Once again my cheeks heated. "Okay, well, it was nice talking to you. I'll see you later. Text me the address I need to pick you up at and a date andtime."