Page 210 - My FlipBook
P. 210
L IS A J. L A W R E N C E
Most of the conversation revolved around Kai. He liked
cats, was thinking of going vegan and had just written a book.
“What’s the book about?” Nate asked, shoveling in the
risotto.
“It’s basically about unrequited love,” Kai said, laying
down his fork to brush a lock of hair off his cheekbone.
“That sounds like a good universal theme.” Elgin
chuckled. “Haven’t we all loved somebody we can’t have?”
Nate glanced at Ash, and Ash at Alice. Alice’s eyes flicked
to Kai, and he took that moment to check his phone beside
his plate. Greta tried to dodge a wave of anger, while Elgin
poured himself a glass of wine and missed the whole thing.
Then Kai and Alice—talking over each other—told
them about a song they had written together. (“Kai plays the
guitar like B.B. King.”) It incorporated the science of teeth ADVANCE READING COPY
with analogies of betrayal. Two wtf lines were etched deep
between Ash’s eyebrows.
Elgin nodded as if this were the most logical thing in
the world. “Yes, I see that,” he said. “Something could be
said, as well, about baby teeth representing the foundations
of trust and not being needed as relationships grow.” He
took a sip of wine and leaned back in his chair, gazing over
their heads.
Ash slipped away when Kai, Alice and Elgin poured coffee
and hunkered down at the table. Nate and Greta followed
him and flopped on the sofa. Greta shifted to one side and
motioned for Ash to sit between them. “Welcome to the
friend zone,” she said. “Plenty of room here.”
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