“Do you know what you’re going to get?” I asked my girl as she read the menu. I never even needed to look; I rotated between three things each time I ate here.

She closed her menu and placed it on top of the table. “I really want waffles. With lots of butter. And syrup. And I don’t care if you look at me differently after I’ve cleaned my plate. Your girl likes to eat. Get used to it.”

I threw my arm around her shoulders and tugged her against me. “I don’t have to get used to it. I love it.”

“You two are disgusting to be around, and you just got together.” Jeanine pretended to puke.

“At least you’re only having to deal with it now,” Dane directly addressed her. “I’m sitting here, thanking God they’re finally together, so I don’t have to listen to him whining about not having her anymore.”

I picked up my napkin and tossed it at Dane’s head. “Can’t fault me for knowing what I want. More than I can say for you.”

“It’s not my fault that all the girls in town suck,” Dane complained. Jeanine made an offended sound. “Present company excluded.”

“Apology accepted.” She nudged him with her shoulder as the bell on the diner door jingled, capturing my attention.

I watched as Todd fucking Lestare made his way into the diner, alone. As the waitress walked him to his table, he noticed us and stopped following her, resting a hand on the edge of our booth.

“Well, well, well,” he said, taking the four of us in before focusing solely on the arm I had wrapped around Julia’s shoulders, “isn’t this a surprise?”

My neck cracked as I jerked it from side to side, my body stiffening in response to his presence. I still hated the guy just as much as I had back in high school.

“Julia,” he fucking purred. “Looking as beautiful as always.”

This douche bag had just purred at my girl, and I felt my temper more than just rise; it shot through the damn roof and burned the town to the ground. I wanted out of the booth, but I was stuck between the wall and Julia.

My hands gripped the table, my body needing something to squeeze the life out of, as I ground out, “Don’t talk to her. I told you that back in high school, didn’t I?”

He bit out a laugh. “We’re a long way from high school, Russo. If Julia doesn’t want me to talk to—” he started but stopped the second Julia stood up from the booth and got right in his face, her finger poking him in the chest.